SKINNER  AND  LAWRENCE 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


TNNATI 

https://archive.org/details/littledramasforp01skin 


DUKE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 
DURHAM,  N,  C. 


LITTLE  DRAMAS 
FOR  PRIMARY  GRADES 


AMERICAN  BOOK  COMPANY 

KEW  YORK  CINCINNATI  CHICAGO 


Copyright,  1913,  by 
ADA  M.  SKINNER  AND  LILLIAN  N.  LAWEENCE. 


COPYEIGHT,  1913,  IN  GkEAT  BRITAIN. 


LITTLE  DRAMAS  FOR  PRIMARY  GRADES. 
W.  P.  I 


PREFATORY  NOTE 

The  use  of  dramatic  readers  has  passed  be- 
yond the  experunental  stage.  Theh^  vahie  in 
aronsing  interest,  in  stirring  the  imagination,  in 
quickening  literary  appreciation  and  power  of 
interpretation,  has  been  so  clearly  demonstrated 
as  to  make  them  permanent  textbooks  in  the 
elementary  schools,  and  more  particularly  in  the 
primary  grades.  The  present  dithculty  consists, 
therefore,  not  in  micertainty  of  the  value  of  dra- 
matic literatme,  but  in  the  inadequacy  of  the 
supply.  The  need  of  suitable  literary  material 
in  good  dramatic  form  for  the  primary  grades  is 
still  very  great.  This  little  book  has  been  com- 
piled as  one  step  toward  meeting  this  need  at 
least  in  one  particular  school,  but  it  is  hoped  that 
it  may  prove  of  service  in  many  other  schools. 
It  is  intended  for  use  at  the  end  of  the  first,  and 
at  the  beg^innino;  of  the  second,  vear. 

e:\bia  g.  sebrixg. 

3 


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 


For  permission  to  use  copyright  material  in  this 
volume,  acknowledgments  and  thanks  are  proffered 
to  authors  and  publishers,  as  follows : 

To  Laura  E.  Richards,  for  the  adaptation  from 
her  story,  "  The  New  Year  "  ;  to  Dodd,  Mead  &  Co. 
for  "  Mabel  and  the  Green  Lizard,"  adapted  from 
"The  Adventures  of  Mabel,"  by  H.  T.  Peck;  to 
G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons,  of  New  York  and  London, 
for  the  selection  by  Judge  Parry  from  "  The  Golden 
Staircase  " ;  to  Longmans,  Green,  &  Co.  for  "  The 
Odd  Man  and  the  Dog  True  "  ;  and  to  John  Lane 
Company  for  Return  of  Spring,"  by  Dion  Clayton 
Calthrop. 


4 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

Bunny  Rabbit   7 

The  Odd  Man  and  the  Dog  True   14 

The  Owl  and  Grasshopper  Green   19 

Somewhere  Town         ....      Kate  Greenmoay  21 

The  Timid  Hare   22 

Mabel  and  the  Green  Lizard  ....   Adapted  26 

The  Maiden  and  the  Bird        .       .  Lydia  Maria  Child  32 

The  Little  Fish  ......  African  Fable  35 

Belling  the  Cat   37 

The  Fox  and  the  Crow   40 

Hans  and  Gretchen   41 

Lady  Moon  Lord  Houghton  50 

Precocious  Piggy  Thomas  Hood  52 

Strange  Lands     ....  Laurence  Alma-Tadeyna  56 

How  to  get  a  Breakfast   58 

The  Little  Christmas  Tree    Adapted  from  an  Old  Story  60 

Christmas  Eve  in  an  Attic   65 

The  New  Year     .       .    Adapted  from  Laura  E.  Richards  73 

A  Friendship  Declined   77 

The  Selfish  Man   79 

The  Magpie's  Nest   83 

Adventures  of  the  First  Spring   86 

The  Bird's  Nest  Lydia  Maria  Child  93 

The  Boastful  Bamboo  Tree     .       .        Japanese  Fable  100 

5 


3126 


6 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 


Return  of  Spring 


105 


Who  holds  up  the  Sky?  Adapted  110 


Why  the  Jellyfish  has  No  Shell  .       .  Oriental  Fable  119 

I  WOULD  like  You  for  a  Comrade  . '  .  Judge  Parry  132 
Southwest  Wind's  Visit  to 

Gluck       ....      Adapted  from  John  Ruskin  134 

The  Child  and  the  Sparrow    .       .    Thomas  Westivood  143 

The  Rabbit's  Message        ....    German  Tale  145 

Laughing  Sanja    ....        Japanese  Folk  Story  150 

The  Tiger  and  the  Brahman   159 

The  Lion  and  the  Story-teller   169 

Over  the  Hill  Georye  MacDonald  174 


The  Fox's  Plan  . 
Tom  and  the  Lobster 


Adapted 


114 


117 


BUNNY  RABBIT  AND  THE 
LION 

Characters  —  Lion,  Rabbit,  Mother  Deer,  Elephant, 
Camel,  Jackal,  other  animals 

Scene  I  —  The  Forest 
Mother  Deer.     BraVG     Lion,     givG  lllG 

back  my  little  deer. 

Lion.  I  will  not.     The  deer  is  mine. 

Mother  Deer.  0  Lion^  it  is  tlie  onlj  One  I 
have.    I  beg  of  you,  give  it  back  to  me. 


8  BUNNY  RABBIT  AND  THE  LION 

Lion.  A  lion  does  not  give  back 
what  lie  has  taken.  Be  off,  or  I 
will  eat  you. 

Scene  II  —  Another  Part' of  the  Forest 

Mother  Deer.  Can  jou  not  help  me, 
animals  ?  The  lion  has  taken  my 
little  deei%  the  only  one  I  had. 

Elephant.  I  am  sorry  for  you.  But 
the  lion  is  the  king  of  the  forest. 
He  takes  what  he  will  and  keeps 
what  he  likes.     I  cannot  help  you. 

Mother  Deer.    [Goes  on.]     Can  yOU  UOt  help 

me,  Camel  ?  You  are  always  kind 
and  gentle. 

Camel.  The  Hou  did  wrong  to  take 
your  deer.  He  did  a  great  wrong, 
but  I  cannot  help  you. 


BUNNY  RABBIT  AND  THE  LION  9 
Mother  Deer.     [Goes  on]        Slirelv^  little 

jackal,  yoii  will  help  me. 

jaekai.  Sli !  Sli !  I'll!  afraid  of  the 
lion,  myself.  A\  e've  never  been  very 
good  friends.  I  wish  1  could  help 
you.  Let  me  see.  I  have  it  !  Go 
to  Bunny  Rabbit.  He's  a  little 
creature,  but  he's  wise  and  brave. 

Mother  Deer.     YoU  SaV  he's  wise  ? 
Jackal.     He  is. 

Mother  Deer.   And  brave  ? 
jachai.  He  is. 

Mother  Deer.     Then   I  wiU   gO  at  OUCe. 

Scene  111 — In  Front  of  Bunny  Rahbifs  Burrow 

Binuuj  Rabbit.  Grood  morniug,  Mother 
Deer.     What  is  the  matter  ? 


10  BUNNY  RABBIT  AND  THE  LION 

Mother  Deer.  Bvmnj  Rabbit,  that 
wicked  lion  stole  mj  little  deer  and 
will  not  give  it  to  me.  I  asked  the 
forest  animals  to  help  me,  but  none 
was  brave  enough  to  do  so. 

Bunny  Rabbit.  Not  even  the  elephant, 
or  the  camel,  or  the  jackal  ? 

Mother  Deer.     Not  OUC.       I  askcd  them 

all.  They  all  said  they  were  sorry. 
But  I  believe  they  are  all  afraid  of 
the  lion. 

Bunny  Rabbit.  Why  did  you  comc  to 
me  ?    Tm  such  a  little  creature. 

Mother  Deer.     The  lackal  told  UlC  VOU 

are  wise  and  brave,  and  he  said 
that  you  would  help  me. 

Bunny  Rabbit.    Tell  them  all  to  meet 


BUNNY  RABBIT  AND  THE  LION  11 

in  front  of  my  bnrrow.  We  will 
talk  it  over  and  see  what  can  be 

done.  [Mother  Deer  goes  aivay,  and  Bunny  Rabbit  digs 
a  long  passage  under  the  ground  and  then  conies  out  behind 
a  bush.] 

Scene  IV  —  In  Front  of  the  Burrow 

[Bunny  Rabbit  and  all  the  animals.  Lion  watching  in  the 
distance.    Only  Elephant  and  Camel  see  him.] 

Bunny  Rabbit.     Elopliailt,  do  JOU  tllinlv 

the  lion  shonld  keep  the  little  deer  ? 

Elephant.  The  lion  is  king  of  the  for- 
est, and  he  shoiildliee^  the  little  deer. 

Bunny  Rabbit.  Camoh  what  do  yon  say  ? 

Camel.  Dear  me.  What  can  I  say  ? 
It  is  all  wrono;.  Bnt  Fm  snre  he 
should  keep  what  he  stole. 

Bunny  Rabbit.  How  yon  tremble,  little 
jackal !     What  do  jon  saj  ? 


12 


BUNNY  RABBIT  AND  THE  LION 


Jackal.  [Seeing  the  Hon.]  Oh  !  Do  I  trem- 
ble? No,  yes,  no,  yes,  yes.  I  think 
he  should  keep  the  deer. 

Bunny  Rabbit.     [In  a  loud  voice.]      The  lion 

should  not   keep  the  deer !  The 

lion  is  a  wicked  thief !  [Lion  springs  at 
him.    Bunny  Rabbit  darts  down  into  the  burrow.] 


BUXXY  RABBIT  AXD  THE  LIOX  13 
Lion.    [Looking  into  the  hurroic]      GoilG  cloWll 

there,  has  he  ?  AVell,  I'll  fix  him. 
Ill  stay  ri^ht  here  until  he  comes 
out.  Ill  stay,  and  stay,  and  stay, 
until  I  starye  him  out. 

Scene  \  —  Another  Pari  of  the  Forest 

Bunny  Rahhit,  Ruu,  Mother  Uoor,  and 
get  your  little  one. 

Mother  Deer.     AVoul    that  wicked  liou 

come  as'ain  ? 

Bunny  Rahhit.    No,  UO  !      Hc's  going'  tO 

stay  in  front  of  my  burrow  until  I 
come  out.  Ha  !  ha  !  Hell  starye  to 
death  himself  if  he  waits  for  that  ! 

Ha!  ha!  [Mother  Deer  runs  to  the  little  deer,  and 
both  escape  into  the  forest,] 


THE  ODD  MAN  AND  THE 
DOG  TRUE 

Characters  —  Odd  Man,  True,  Big  Black  Dog 
Odd  Man.    [To  the  dog.]      WllO      are  JOU, 

and  why  do  you  come  into  my  cave  ? 

14 


THE  ODD  ^lAX  AXD  THE  DOG  TRUE  15 

True.  I  am  a  poor  clog,  sir,  wlio  lias 
lost  Ins  wav.  Will  you  be  so  kind 
as  to  tell  me  how  I  may  o^et  out  ? 

Odd  Man.     Xo.    I    will    UOt.       But  I 

will  tell  you  what  you  may  clo  if 
you  like.  You  may  stay  here  in  my 
caye  and  work  for  me. 

True.  I  will  do  that  if  you  will  not 
let  me  out.  But  what  work  do  you 
wish  me  to  do  ? 

Odd  Man.  AVell,  Well,  you  see  I  haye 
here  a  o--reat  bao^  full  of  a-old.  I  haye 
to  sit  on  it  all  the  time. 

True.   AVhy  must  you  sit  on  it  ? 

Odd  Man.  I  wiU  tell  you.  Xear  my 
caye  liyes  an  ogre.  This  ogre  wants 
to  kill  me  so  that  he  can  o^et  my  o-old. 


16       THE  ODD  MAN  AND  THE  DOG  TRUE 

True.  Dear  me  ! 

Odd  Man.  If  I  go  to  sleep  or  move 
away  he  will  try  to  get  at  me.  I  am 
just  worn  out  for  want  of  rest. 

True.  Dear  me  !  How  can  I  help 
you  1 

Odd  Man.  Well,  if  you  would  stay 
by  me  and  watch  for  the  ogre,  I 
might  take  a  short  nap. 

True.  I  will  do  that !    And  you, 

sir,  go  to  sleep.  [Odd  Man  goes  to  sleep.  Big 
Black  Dog  enters.] 

Big  Black  Dog.     Good    day,    little  dog. 

How  do  you  do  ? 

True.  I  am  very  well,  I  thank  you ; 
but  who  are  you  ? 

Big  Black  Dog.  My  uamc  is  Nip,  and  I 


THE  ODD  :\IAX  AND  THE  DOG  TRUE  17 

have  come  to  sliow  you  the  way  out 
of  this  cave.     Let  us  run  now  ! 

True.  No  ;  I  saicl  I  would  take  care 
of  this  cave  for  the  Odd  Man^  and  I 
will  do  it.  ■ 

Big  Black  Dog.  But  the  Odd  Man  is 
asleep.  He  will  not  see  you.  Come, 
now,  come  along  with  me  ! 

True.     No,  I  wiU  UOt  gO. 

Big  Black  Dog.     Thcu   givO   Uie   a  boUC, 

will  you  ? 

True.  I  cannot,  for  they  are  not 
mine ;  the  Odd  Man  may  o^ive  you 

one,  by  and  by.     [Big  Black  Dog  goes  to  get  a  hone.] 
True.     Bow- WOW- WOW  ! 

Odd  Man.     [Opening  his  eyes.]      ^\T.iat  WaS 

that  ?    You  woke  me  out  of  my  nap. 

LITTLE   DRAMAS  2 


18       THE  ODD  MAN  AND  THE  DOG  TRUE 

True.  Oh,  sir,  it  was  a  big  black  dog. 
It  came  into  the  cave  and  was  steal- 
ing a  bone. 

Odd  Man.  Oh !  That  was  the  o^re 
in  the  dress  of  a  black  dog.  Here, 
you  may  have  a  bone.  You  were  a 
good  dog  to  bark  and  wake  me  up. 
What  more  can  I  do  to  show  you 
how  glad  I  am  ? 

True.  Oh,  sir,  may  I  go  out  of  the 
cave  now  ?  I  want  to  see  a  nice, 
nice  cat  that  is  waiting  outside. 

Odd  Man.  Very  well,  good  dog.  The 
ogre  will  not  come  back  again,  and  I 
can  take  a  good  nap.  Here  is  a  door 
in  the  side  of  the  cave.  I  will  open 
it,  and  you  can  go.  —  Good-by. 


THE  OWL  AND  GRASS- 
HOPPER GREEN 

Scene  —  In  the  Meadow 

Grasshopper  Green.  Creaky  creak,  creak, 
c-r-e-a-k  ! 

Owl.  Won't  YOU  keep  quiet  I  I 
can't  sleep  with  your    creak,  creak/' 

Grasshopper  Green.     No,       I      will  not 

keep  quiet.     Creak,  creak,  creak  ! 

Owl.  Then  go  away  from  here. 
Go  into  the  grass  field  over  there, 
if  you  must  sing. 

Grasshopper  Green.  I  shall  do  nothino' 
of  the  sort.  I  have  as  much  rio4it 
to  sing  as  you  have  to  sleep.  Creak, 
creak !     Besides,   you    have  never 

19 


20        THE  OWL  AND  GRASSHOPPER  GREEN 

done  anything  for  me.  Creaky  creak, 
creak,  c-r-e-a-k  ! 

Owl.  [To  himself.]  Sucli  a  saucj  grass- 
hopper  green  ! 

Grasshopper  Green.    Creak,  c-r-e-a-k! 

Owl.  [Later.]  Well,  Grasslioppcr  Green, 
you  have  a  wonderful  voice  ! 

Grasshopper  Green.  I  have  indeed.  Creak, 
creak,  creak,  c-r-e-a-k  ! 

Owl.  Now  that  I  am  awake,  I  love 
to  hear  you  sing. 

Grasshopper  Green.    C-E-E-A-K  ! 

Owl.  Let  me  give  you  some  of  the 
sweet  honey  I  have  here  in  my  tree. 
Honey  is  good  for  the  voice. 

[The  grasshopper  goes  to  the  owl.] 
Owl.    S^^AP  ! 


SOMEAVHERE  TOWN 

First  Child.    Which  is  the  wav  to  Some- 
where  Town  ? 

Second  Child.  Oh,  lip  ill  the  moming  early. 

Over  the  tiles  and  the  chim- 
ney pots, 

That  is  the  way  quite 
clearly. 

First  Child.    Aiid  which  is  the  door  to 
Somewhere  Town  I 

Second  Child.  Oh,  lip  ill  the  iiioriiiiig  early. 

The  round  red  sun  is  the 

door  to  o;o  throiioli ; 
That    is    the    way  quite 

clearly. 

—  Kate  Greexaway. 
21 


THE  TIMID  HARE 


Characters 
Timid  Hare        Camel        Sheep  Deer 
Brother  Hare  Elephant  Lion 

Timid  Hare.  Oh  dear  !  Oil  dear  !  If 
the  sky  were  to  fall,  what  would 
happen  to  me  ?  Oh,  what  would 
happen  to  me  !    What  is  that  noise  ? 

22 


THE  TBIID  RXE.E  23 

Oil  dear  I  Oli  clear  !  Oli.  I  am  sure 
the  skv  is  falliiio;' !    It  is  !    It  is  1 

It  IS  I       [Timid  Hare  runs.] 

Brother  Hare.     Whx    RYQ    YOll  riinilino; 

away,  little  liare  ? 

Timid  Hare.     Oil,    I    liave    110    tillie  tO 

talk.     Tlie  skv  is  falliiio;* ! 

Brother  Hare.    [Frightened.]     Oil    dear  !  Oil 

dear  I     The  sky  is  falliiio;* ! 

Deer.  AVliv,  wliat  is  the  matter, 
little  hare  ? 

Timid  Hare.  Oil,  I  liave  110  time  to 
talk.     The  skv  is  falliiig. 

Deer.    [Frightened.]     AVliat  sliall  I  do  ? 

Sheep.   AVliere  are  you  o^oiii^,  little 
hare  ?     AVhv  do  you  run  so  fast  1 
Timid  Hare.    Oil.  tlio  skv  is  falliuo' ! 


24  THE  TIMID  HARE 

Sheep.  [Frightened.]  Dear  me,  dear  me  ! 

Camel.  Stop  a  minute,  little  liare  ! 
What's  tlie  matter  ? 

Timid  Hare.  Oil,  I  have  110  time  to 
talk.     The  sky  is  falling. 

Camel.  [Frightened.]  No,  HO,  it  Can't  bo. 
Elephant.     Whj  do   JOU   TUIl    SO  fast, 

little  hare  ?    What  has  happened  ? 

Timid  Hare.  I  havo  no  time  to  talk. 
The  sky  is  falling. 

Elephant.   Can  that  be  true  ? 

Lion.   What  is  this  you  say  ? 

Timid  Hare.    I  liaVO   UO   time   to  talk. 

The  sky  is  falling. 

Lion.  How  do  you  know  this  ? 

Timid  Hare.     I  SaW  it. 

Lion.   Where  did  you  see  it  ? 


THE  TBIID  HARE  25 

Timid  Hare.   TliGrG,  bv  that  tree. 

Lion.  Oil,  what  nonsense  !  There 
are  no  sio;ns  that  the  sky  is  falling. 
Come  with  me  and  111  show  you. 

Timid  Hare.  Xo,  no,  I  must  hurrj 
alono\     I  am  afraid  to  o;o  back. 

Lion.  Yes/ YOU  shall  come  with  me 
to  that  tree.     I  will  take  you  there 

myself.      {Lion  and  hare  go  to  the  tree.] 

Lion.  There,  do  you  see  ?  The  sky 
is  not  fallino-'.  A  little  acorn  fell 
upvu  a  leaf.  It  made  the  noise  that 
frightened  you.  Let  us  go  back  now, 
and  tell  the  other  animals. 


MABEL  AND  THE  GREEN 
LIZARD 

Characters  —  Grandma,  Mabel,  Lizard,  Wolf 
Scene  I  —  MaheVs  Home 

Mabel.  Graiidiiia,  may  I  go  to  the 
woods  to  pick  some  berries  for 
sup23er  ? 

Grandma.     YoS^  bllt   bo   Sm^O   to  COmO 

home  before  dark.  There  are  ani- 
mals in  the  woods,  MabeL  They 
prowl  around  after  dark. 

Mabel.  Oh,  Tm  not  afraid.  Til 
come  home  before  night. 

Scene  II  —  In  the  Woods 

Mabel.  Dear  me  !  How  dark  it  is 
getting.     I  must  hurry  home.  [Hears 

26 


MABEL  AND  THE  GREEN  LIZARD  27 

a  little  squeaking  sound]  What's  that  ?  [Sees  a 
little  green  lizard  with  a  stone  on  its  tail.]      Oh,  YOU 

poor  little  lizard  !     Let  nie  lift  that 

stone  from  VOlir  tail.       [Takes  stone  off .] 

Lizard.  Thaiilv  YOU.  Yoli  are  a  Yery 
kind  child. 

Mabel.  Oh !  I  didn't  know  that 
lizards  could  talk  ! 

Lizard.  Somo  lizards  can't.  But  I 
am  the  king;  of  all  the  lizards.  I 
am  o;oino;  to  do  somethino;  for  you 
because  you  lifted  the  stone  from 
niY  tail. 

Mabel.   I  was  YcrY  glad  to  do  it. 

Lizard.  I  am  o'oino'  to  do  somethino^ 
for  YOU  that  I  wouldn't  do  for  any 
other   little    girl.     It's    this :  I'm 


28  MABEL  AND  THE  GREEN  LIZARD 

going  to  teach  you  the  animal  call. 
Then  you  will  understand  everything 
the  animals  say  to  you,  and  they  will 
know  what  you  say  to  them. 
Mabel.  What  fun  ! 

Lizard.     Just  listen.      [Gives  a  low  whistle.] 

Now  you  do  it  after  me.     [Mabel  tries.] 

Try  again,  Mabel.     [She  tries  again  and  again.] 

Grood,  that's  it !  Now  if  you  wish 
any  animal  to  be  your  friencb  just 
whistle  that  way  to  him.  That's 
the  call  of  all  the  animals.  Good- 

by.       [Lizard  goes  away.] 

Mabel.  Well,  that's  the  funniest 
thing  I  ever  heard  of.  But,  dear  me, 
how  dark  it  is  getting;.     I  must  run 

home.      [Starts  homeward.    Hears  howl.] 


MABEL  AXD  THE  GREEX  LIZARD  29 
Wolf.    [Howls.]  0-000-W. 

Mabel.  What's  that  ?  Oh !  it's  a 
wolf.  I'  m  so  frio4itened !  A\^iat 
shall  I  do?    rU  give  the  call. 

[Whistles.] 

Wolf.    [Answers.]     0-000-W  !       0-000-W  ! 

[Wolf  comes  to  Mabel.] 
Mabel.     AVolf,  I  Wailt  YOU  tO   bo  lllY 

friend. 

Wolf.   To  be  sure,  I  will  be. 

Mabel.  V\e  lost  lUY  waY.  Ploaso 
show  me  the  way  home.  I  Hyo  at 
grandma's. 

Wolf.  1  know  where  you  live.  T\e 
seen  you  playing  there  many  times. 
Put  your  hand  on  my  neck,  and  111 

show  YOU  the  way.       [Mabel  does  so.] 


30  MABEL  AND  THE  GREEN  LIZARD 


Scene  III  —  Edge  of  the  Wood 

Wolf.  There  is  your  home ;  and 
your  grandma  is  waiting  for  you. 

Mabel.  Thank  you  very  much.  I 
knew  you  were  a  good  wolf.  You 
woukUi't  hurt  a  little  girl,  would  you  ? 

Wolf.   I  wouldn^t  hurt  you. 

Mabel.     Good  uight,  Wolf. 

Wolf.   Good  night. 


MABEL  AXD  THE  GREEX  LIZARD  31 
ScEXE  IV  —  Mabel's  Home 

Grandma.    Mabel !  Mabel !  Mabel ! 
Mahei.   Yes,  Grandma. 
Grandma.   AVliere  liave  YOU  been  so 
lono^  ? 

Mabel  I've  been  in  the  woods.  Oli, 
Grandma.  I  left  mv  basket  of  straw- 
berries there. 

Grandma.  Nover  mind,  ^^e  can  ffo 
to-morrow  and  o^et  them.  I  was  so 
frightened !  Your  uncle  told  me 
onlv  yesterday  he  saw  a  wolf  in  the 
woods.  Just  think  if  vou  had  met 
him  to-day !  He  would  have  eaten 
you  up.  every  bit  of  you. 

Mabel.  Oh.  Grandma  !  I'm  sure  all 
wolves  don't  eat  little  girls. 


THE  MAIDE^^  AND  THE  BIRD 


Maiden.  Little  bird,  little  bird,  come  to 


me, 

I  have  a  green  cage  ready  for 
thee, 

Beautj-bright     flowers  111 

bring  anew 
And  fresh  ripe  cherries  all 

wet  with  dew. 

32 


THE  IMAIDEX  AND  THE  BIRD  33 

Bird.      Thanks,  little  maiden,  for  all 

tliY  care, 
But  I  love  dearly  tlie  clear 

cool  air 
And  my  snuo;  little  nest  in  tlie 

old  oak  tree. 

Maiden,   Little  bird,   little  bird,  stay 
witli  me! 

Bird.      I^ay,  little  damsel,  —  away  111 

% 

To  o^reener  fields  and  warmer 
sky  ; 

When    spring    returns  with 

pattering  rain, 
Youll  hear  my  merry  song 

a^ain. 

o 

LITTLE  DRAMAS  3 


34  THE  MAIDEN  AND  THE  BIRD 

Maiden.   Little  bird,  little  bird,  wlioll 
guide  thee, 
Over  the  hills  and  over  the 
sea? 

Foolish  one,  come  in  the  house 
to  stay. 

For  Fm  very  sure  youll  lose 
your  way. 

Bird.      Ah,   no,   little  maiden,  God 
guides  me. 
Over  the  hills  and  over  the 
sea. 

I  will  be  free  as  the  rushing 
air. 

And  sing  of  sunshine  every- 
where. 

—  Lydia  Maria  Child. 


THE  LITTLE  FLSH 

Fisherman.     Alia  !    I  liaVG  VOll  at  last, 

little  fisli. 

Little  Fish.  0  Mr.  Fisherman,  please 
put  me  back  into  tlie  water. 

35 


36  THE  LITTLE  FISH 

Fisherman.    Pvit    JOU    back  ?      No,  I 

will  not ! 

Little  Fish.  I  beg  you,  put  me  back. 
I  am  so  little. 

Fisherman.  It  lias  taken  me  a  long 
time  to  catcb  you.  Put  you 
back,  indeed  !    I  tbink  not. 

Little  Fish.  But  I  am  SO  little.  Put 
me  back  and  wait  until  I  have  grown 
to  be  a  large  fish.  Then  I  will  make 
you  a  very  good  meal. 

Fisherman.    [Thoughtfully.]     TrUC,  my  little 

fish,  true.  But  where  shall  I  find 
you  when  you  have  grown  larger  ? 

—  African  Fable. 


BELLING  THE  CAT 

Characters  —  Old  Mouse,  Three  Young  Mice 

Old  Mouse.  Oil  clear,  clear,  clear ! 
That  old  cat  ate  Squeak  Nibble  to- 
day.    AVhat  can  we  do? 

Second  Mouse.  AVell,  we  must  do 
sometliing !  Shell  eat  us  all,  one 
by  one ! 

Third  Mouse.  How  cau  WO  koop  her 
from  catchino;  all  the  rest  of  us? 

Fourth  Mouse.     YeS,  hoW   CaU   WO  ?  If 

we  could  only  know  when  she  is 
coming.  Her  paws  are  so  soft  that 
we  cannot  hear  her. 

Second  Mouse.  I  liayo  it !  One  of  us 
will  watch  her  all  the  time.  When 

37 


38  BELLING  THE  CAT 

tlie  cat  is  coming  lie  must  squeak 
as  loud  as  lie  can. 

Old  Mouse.  Watch  licr,  indeed ! 
She^d  soon  catcli  that  little  mouse. 

Fourth  Mouse.   No^  that  wiU  iiever  do. 

Third  Mouse.     Lot's  staj  iu   OUT  llolcS. 

Then  shell  starve  to  death. 

All  the  Mice.  Ha-ha-lia  !    A  fine  plan. 

Old  Mouse.  A  fine  plan,  indeed! 
Do  you  think  the  cat  eats  nothing 
but  mice  ?  And  how  should  we 
get  anything  to  eat  if  we  stayed 
in  our  holes? 

Fourth  Mouse.  My  friends,  listen  to 
me.  Let  us  haiip;  a  bell  round  her 
neck.  That  will  tell  us  when  she  is 
coming'.    Then  we  can  run  and  hide. 


BELLING  THE  CAT  39 

Second  Mouse.     Goocl,    O^OOcl  ! 
Third  Mouse.     TllG   VGrY    tllillO^  ! 

Fourth  Mouse.  Notliiiio;  coiilcl  be  better. 

Old  Mouse.    [Thoughtfully.]    But     wllO  wiU 

liang  the  bell  on  tlie  cat's  neck  ? 

[Silence.] 
Second  Mouse.     I    will  not. 

Third  Mouse.  Not  tkis  little  mouse. 
Old  Mouse.  But   somc   onc  must  clo 
it.      WllO  will? 

All.   Sure  enough^  who  ? 


THE  FOX  AND  THE  CROW 

Characters  —  Fox  and  Crow 

Crow.  Ah !  Some  one  lias  left  a 
bit  of  cheese  for  me.  I'll  fly  up 
into  that  tree  and  eat  it. 

Fox,  [To  himself.]  That  cheoso  is  for 
me^  as  sure  as  I  am  a  fox. 

[Goes  to  the  tree.] 

Good  clay^  Mistress  Crow. 

How  well  you  are  looking. 

What  bright  eyes  you  have. 

I  am  sure  your  voice  must  be  sweet. 

Just  let  me  hear  you  sing  one  song. 

[Crow  lifts  her  head.] 

Crow.   Caw  —  caw  —  caw. 

Fox.    [Snaps  up  cheese.]       That      bit  of 

cheese  was  all  I  wanted. 

40 


HANS  AND  GRETCHEN 

Characters  —  Hans,  Gretchen,  Red  Fox 
Scene  I  —  In  the  Woods 

Red  Fox.  Help  me  out!  Help  me 
out,  little  Hans.  I  am  cauo4it  in 
this  trap.  Help  me  out,  and  it  shall 
be  well  with  you. 

Hans.  To  bo  sure.  ril  let  you 
out.     There ! 

41 


42  HANS  AND  GRETCHEN 

Red  Fox.  You  are  very  kind.  If 
you  have  a  wish,  tell  me  what  it 
is  and  it  shall  be  granted. 

Hans.  Oh,  as  to  that,  I  wish  my 
pail  here  were  full  of  berries.  My 
sister  and  I  are  very  hungry. 

Red  Fox.    Your    wish    is  granted. 

Look   into   your   pail  !      [Hans  runs  home.] 

Scene  II  —  At  Home 

Hans.  See,  Gretchen  dear,  what 
fine  berries  I  have  brought. 

Gretchen.  Oh,  what  big  ones !  Where 
did  you  get  them  in  so  short  a  time  ? 

Hans.  It  was  the  fox,  Grretchen. 
He  was  caught  in  a  trap.  I  let 
him   out.     He   said  I  mio:ht  have 


HANS  AND  GRETCHEN  43 

whatever  I  wished  for,  and  I  wished 
for  berries.     Aren't  you  glad  ? 

Gretchen.     Foolish  boY  !       WhY  di(hl't 

you  ask  foi'  something  better  ?  If 
he  coukl  fill  Your  pail  with  berries 
just  for  the  asking,  he  could  do  far 
o;reater  thino-s. 

Ha?is.  But  don't  YOU  like  the  ber- 
ries, Gretchen  ? 

Gretchen.  Wlicu  WO  Cat  them  there 
will  be  nothino;  left.  Go  back  and 
tell  the  fox  that  you  wish  to  haYe 
the  cupboard  alwaYS  full  of  food. 

Hans.  Be  satisfied,  dear  sister.  We 
are  quite  happy  as  we  are. 

Gretchen.  No,  I  will  not  be  satisfied. 
You  must  do  as  I  tell  you. 


44 


HANS  AND  GRETCHEN 


Scene  III  —  In  the  Woods 

Red  Fox.  How  now,  little  Hans  ?  Is 
it  not  well  with  you  ? 

Hans.  Alas !  Mj  sister  is  not 
satisfied.  She  asked  me  to  come 
to  you  again. 

Red  Fox.  What  does  she  wish  ? 

Hans.  She  wishes  that  our  cup- 
board may  be  always  full. 

Red  Fox.  Go  homo,  little  Hans.  It 
shall  be  as  she  wishes. 

Scene  IV  —  At  Home  (the  Next  Day) 

Hans.  Why  are  you  unhappy  again, 
Gretchen  ?    Come,  let  us  play. 

Gretchen.  Why  sliould  I  bc  happy  ? 
We  have  no  toys,  only  sticks  and 


HANS  AND  GRETCHEN  45 

stones  for  j)laytliings.  Go  to  the 
fox  and  tell  him  I  wish  for  some 
beautiful  toys  to  play  with. 

Hans.  Be  satisfied,  little  Gretchen. 
We  are  quite  happy  as  we  are. 

Gretchen.  No,  I  will  not  be  satisfied. 
Scene  V  —  In  the  Woods 

Red  Fox.  How  uow,  little  Haus  ?  Is 
it  not  well  with  you  ? 

Hans.  Alas  !  My  sister  is  not  sat- 
isfied. She  asked  me  to  come  to 
you  again. 

Red  Fox.  What  does  she  wish  ? 

Hans.  She  wishes  she  had  some 
beautiful  toys  to  play  Avith. 

Red  Fox.  Go  homo,  little  Hans.  It 
shall  be  as  she  wishes. 


46 


HANS  AND  GRETCHEN 


Scene  VI  —  At  Home  (Another  Day) 

Hans.  Why  are  you  not  happy, 
little  Gretchen  ?    Come,  let  us  play. 

Gretchen.  Why  should  I  be  happy  ? 
I  am  tired  of  these  old  toys.  I 
want  a  beautiful  palace  to  live  in. 


HANS  AND  GRETCHEN  47 

Go   to   the    fox  and  tell  liim  so. 

Hans.  Be  satisfied,  little  sister.  AVe 
are  quite  happy  as  we  are. 

G  ret  chert.  No,  I  will  not  be  satisfied. 
You  must  do  as  I  tell  you. 

Scene  yil  —  In  the  Woods 

Red  Fox.  How  HOW,  little  Haus  ?  Is 
it  not  well  with  you  ? 

Hans.  Alas  !  Mv  sister  is  not  sat- 
isfied.  She  asked  me  to  come  to 
you  again. 

Red  Fox.  What  does  she  wish  now  ? 

Hans.  She  wishes  to  live  in  a 
beautiful  palace. 

Red  Fox.  Go  home,  little  Hans.  It 
shall  be  as  she  wishes. 


48  HANS  AND  GRETCHEN 

Scene  VIII  —  At  Home 

Hans.  Why  are  yovi  unhappy  again, 
little  sister? 

Gretchen.  Wliy  slioulcl  I  be  liappy  ? 
I  am  tired  of  this  palace.  There  is 
only  one  thing  that  would  make  me 
happy.  Go  to  the  Red  Fox.  Tell 
him  I  must  have  the  0:reat  silver 
ball  that  hangs  over  us  in  the  sky. 

Hans.  Be  satisfied,  dear  sister.  We 
are  quite  happy  as  we  are. 

Gretchen.  No,  uo.  I  will  uot  bo  Sat- 
isfied.    You  must  do  as  I  tell  you. 

Scene  IX  —  In  the  Woods 

Red  Fox.  How  now,  brother  Hans? 
Is  it  not  well  with  you  ? 


HANS  AND  GRETCHEN  49 

Hans.  Alas  !  Mj  sister  is  not  sat- 
isfied witli  the  palace. 

Red  Fox.   What  does  she  wish  ? 

Hans.  She  wishes  the  great  silvery 
moon  for  her  plaything. 

Fox.    [Very  slowly.] 

The  o  reat  silvery  moon  ! 
The  or-reat  silvery  moon  ! 
The  o;reat  silverv  moon  ! 

Go,  little  Hans.  It  shall  not  be 
as  she  wishes.  You  will  find  the 
cupboard  empty,  the  toys  gone,  and 
your  home  again  a  little  cottage. 


LITTLE   DRAMAS  4 


LADY  MOON 

Time  —  Evening 
Place  —  Garden 

Characters  —  Lady  Moon,  Child 

Child.         Lady  Moon,  Lady  Moon, 
Where  are  you  roving? 

Lady  Moon,     Ovor  tllO  SOa. 

ChUd.         Lady  Moon,  Lady  Moon, 
Whom  are  you  loving? 

Lady  Moon.     All  that  loVO  UIO. 

Child.         Are  you  not  tired  with  roll- 
ing and  never 
Resting  to  sleep? 

50 


-        LADY  MOON  51 

AYliY  look  so  pale  and  so 

sacl^  as 
Forever  wishing  to  sleep  ? 

Lady  Moon.     Aslv  1110  liot  tllis,  little  cllild, 

if  you  love  me. 

You  are  too  bold. 

I  must  obey  my  dear  Fa- 
ther aboye  me 

And  do  as  I'm  told. 

Child.         Lady  Moon,  Lady  Moon, 
Where  are  you  roying  I 

Lady  Moon.    Oyer  the  sea. 

Child.         Lady  Moon,  Lady  Moon, 
Whom  are  you  loyino;  ? 

Lady  Moon.     All  that  loYe  1110. 

—  LoKD  Houghton. 


PRECOCIOUS  PIGGY 


Child.        Where  are  jou  going  to, 
you  little  pig? 


First  Pig.     Tm  leaving  mother, 
Tve  grown  so  big. 

Child.        So  big,  young  pig  ! 
So  young,  so  big  ! 
What !  leaving  your  mother, 
you  foolish  young  pig  ? 

52 


Child, 


PRECOCIOUS  PIGGY  53 

Where  are   you  going  to, 
you  little  pig  ? 


Second  Pig.  I'vo  got  a  iiew  spado,  and 


CJiild. 


I'm  o'oino'  to  dio;. 


Child.        To  dig,  little  pig  ! 
A  little  pig  dig  ! 
Well,  I  never  saw  a  pig  with 
a  spade  that  could  dig. 


Where  are  you  going  to, 
you  little  pig  ? 


Third  Pig.    Why,  I  am  goiiio;  to  have  a 
nice  ride  in  a  21^. 


54  PRECOCIOUS  PIGGY 

Child.        In  a  gig,  little  pig  ! 

Wliat,  a  pig  in  a  gig  ! 
Well,  I  never   saw  a  pig 
ride  in  a  Vi^r. 


OAiTiZ.        Where  are  you  going  to, 
you  little  pig  ? 

Fourth  Pig.  Tiii  goiug  to  the  barbor's, 
to  buy  me  a  wig. 

Child.        A  wig,  little  pig  ! 
A  pig  in  a  wig  ! 
Why,  who  ever  before  saw 
a  pig  in  a  wig  1 

Child.        Where  are  you  going  to, 
you  little  pig  ? 


PRECOCIOUS  PIGGY  55 

AVliY.  I'm  o;'oing-  to  the  ball, 
to  dance  a  fine  jig  ! 

A  jig,  little  pig  I 
A  pig  dance  a  jig  ! 
Well.  I  never  before  saw  a 
pig  dance  a  jig  ! 

AMiere  are   von  o-oino^  to. 
yon  little  pig  ? 

I'm  going  to  the  fair,  to  rnn 
a  fine  rig. 

A  rig,  little  pig  ! 
A  pig  rini  a  rig  ! 
AVell.  I  never  before  saw  a 
pio;  rnn  a  rig*. 

—  Thomas  Hood. 


STRANGE  LANDS 


ChUd. 


Mr.  Jay. 


Child. 


Where  do  you  come  from, 

Mr.  Jay? 
From    the    land    of  play, 

from  the  land  of  play. 
And   where    can    that  be, 

Mr.  Jay? 


56 


STRANGE  LAXDS  57 

Mr.  Jay.     Far  awRY  —  far  awav. 

ChikL        AVliere  do  vou  come  from, 

Mrs.  Dove? 
Mrs.  Dove.    From    tlio    laiicl    of  love, 

"    from  tlie  land  of  love. 
Child.        And  llow  do  you  get  there, 

Mrs.  Dove  ? 
Mrs.  Dove.    Loolv  al)ove  -  loolv  above. 
Child.        AVliere  do  you  come  from, 

-    Babv  Miss  ? 
Baby  Miss.   From    tlic    land    of  bliss, 

from  tlie  land  of  bliss. 
Child.        And  what  is  the  way  there, 

Baby  Miss  1 
Baby  Miss.   Mothcr's      Iviss  —  mothcr's 

kiss. 

—  Laurence  Alma-Tadema. 


HOW  TO  GET  A  BREAKFAST 


First  Chick. 


It  is  so  hard  to  scratch; 
rill  as  hungry  as  can  be^ 
I  wish  a  little  worm 
Would  come  close  up  to 
me. 


Second  Chick.   It  is  SO  hard  to  scratch ; 

Tm  as  hungry  as  can  be, 
I  wish  a  bowl  of  meal 
Were    standing    here  by 
me. 


Third  Chick. 


It  is  so  hard  to  scratch ; 
Tm  as  hungry  as  can  be, 
I  wish  a  nice  green  leaf 
Would  drop   right  down 
to  me. 

58 


HOW  TO  GET  A  BREAKFAST  59 

Mother  Hen.    See  licre,  YOU  lazY  clucks, 
:  Here's  the  green  garden 
patcli, 

If  you're  liungry  as  can 

be,         '  ^ 
You  should  come  here  and 
_  scratch  ! 


THE  LITTLE  CHRISTMAS 
TREE 


Characters 
Big  Fir  Tree  Little  Fir  Tree 

Littlest  Fir  Tree  A  Little  Bird 

Little  Bird.    [Going  to  Big  Tree.]    Oh,  please, 

Big  Fir  Tree,  may  I  rest  here  in 
your  branches  ?  I  have  hurt  my 
wing,  and  I  cannot  fly. 

Big  Fir  Tree.  No,  I  cauuot  have  any 
little  birds  in  my  branches.  I  must 
grow  straight  and  tall,  for  I  mean  to 
be  a  Christmas  tree  some  day. 

Little  Bird.    [Goes  to  Little  Tree.]    Oh,  plcaSO, 

dear  tree,  may  I  not  find  shelter 
from  the  cold  in  your  branches  ?  My 
wing  is  broken,  and  I  cannot  fly.  I 

60 


THE  LITTLE  CHPJST^L\S  TREE  61 

have  come  a  Ions  Avav  over  tlie  ice 
and  snow. 

Little  Fir  Tree.  Xo,  I  cannot  oivc  shel- 
ter to  anv  l3ircls  in  inv  brandies. 

Little  Bird.  But  I'm  verv  tired,  and  I 
shall  do  Your  l)ranches  no  harm. 

Little  Fir  Tree.     It    CannOt    bc.       I  mUSt 

hold  niY  head  up  high  and  mv 
branches  out  straicr-ht.  for'  I  mean  to 
be  a  Christmas  tree. 

Little  Bird.  Tui  afraid  I  shall  fr^eeze 
out  here  in  the  snow.    [Little  Bird  goes  07i.] 

Little  Bird.  [Softly.]  Pleasc,  Littlcst  Fir 
Tree,  mav  I  rest  in  vour  branches  ? 
I  am  so  cold  and  hunoTV.  I  do  not 
think  I  can  o^o  anv  farther. 

Littlest  Fir  Tree.     YcS.,    YCS,   Little  Bird. 


62  THE  LITTLE  CHRISTMAS  TREE 

Creep  up  close  to  my  trunk.  I  will 
cover  you  as  best  I  can  with  my 
little  branches.  Come  close.  Tm 
glad  to  have  you  here. 

Little  Bird.   Thank  you,  kind  tree. 

Big  Fir  Tree.      I      hear      slcigh  bcUs. 

The  bells  come  nearer  and  nearer. 
Some  one  is  coming  this  way.  Some 
one  is  coming  through  the  woods. 

Little  Fir  Tree.    Who     is     it,     Big  Fir 

Tree  ?  I  cannot  see  so  far  as  you 
can.     Tell  me  what  you  see. 

Big  Fir  Tree.  I  SCO  a  slcigh  and  rein- 
deer. Some  one  all  wrapped  in  fur 
is  in  the  sleigh. 

Little  Fir  Tree.     0\i,    I    fccl    that  SOmC 


THE  LITTLE  CHRIST^IA?  TREE  63 

one  is  eoniino;"  for  me.  Now  I  am 

o'oino'  to  be  a  Christmas  tree.  The 

bells  sound  nearer  and  nearer.  I 
see  the  sleigh. 

Santa  Clans.    [Alights  from  his  sleigh  and  looks  at 

Big  Tree.]  A  Hno  tree  —  tall  and 
straight  !  But  it  is  too  tall  for  my 
Christmas  tree.  I  must  look  farther. 
[Goes  on  to  next  tree.]  Ah  !  Here's  another  : 
but  there's  a  little  one  I  see  just  at 
the  foot  of  the  hill.  I  believe  it  is 
the  most  beautiful  tree  in  all  the 
wood.  [Goes  to  Littlest  Tree.]  Little  tree,  you 
hold  Your  head  up  straight,  and  vour 
branches  spread  out  in  all  directions. 
I  must  have  you  for  niY  Christmas 

tree.        [Seeing  Little  Bird.]       AVho      is  this 


64  THE  LITTLE  CHRISTMAS  TREE 

that  lias  found  shelter  in  your 
branches  ?     A  little  bird.     I  will 


take  it,  too,  and  it  shall  be  some 
little  child's  Christmas  present. 

—  Adapted. 


CHRISTMAS  EVE  IX  AN 
ATTIC 

Characters 
First  Mouse       Second  Mouse       French  Doll 
Tin  Soldier        Lion  Elephant  . 

Tiger  Jack-in-the-hox      Woolly  Dog 

Mrs.  Santa  Claus 

First  Mouse.  Cliristmas  is  liere  again. 
The  air  is  full  of  tlie  smell  of  sood 
tilings  to  eat ! 

Second  Mouse.     It's   a   Q-RX  tilllO  foT  US. 

I  know  tlierell  be  plenty  of  crumbs 
around  now. 

First  Mouse.  I  wisli  Cliristuias  came 
everv  nia-ht.  But  look  at  tkose  old 
toYS  in  the  corner.  I  wonder  why 
thev  look  so  sad. 

French  Doll     Loolv    Sacl,    do    WO  ?  No 

wonder.     It's  Christmas  Eve  and  we 

LITTLE   DRAMAS  5  65 


Christmas  Eve  in  an  Attic 


66 


CHRISTMAS  EA^  IN  AN  ATTIC  67 

don't  like  to  be  liere  in  tlie  dark  and 
cokl.     It  isn't  fair  ! 

Ti?i  Soldier.  We  onco  kuno'  on  a 
Ckristmas  tree. 

First  Mouse.  It  innst  kave  been  a 
lono'  time  a^o. 

Tin  Soldier.  It  was,  indeed  !  Bnt  tke 
ckikk^en  do  not  care  to  pkiv  witk  ns 
now  tkat  we  are  so  okk 

French  Doll  Okl,  sir  ?  How  Can  Yon 
say  tkat  ?  Jnst  look  at  me  !  If  my 
kair  were  combed  and  I  kad  a  new 
dress  on,  I'd  still  be  a  very  nice  doll ! 
Okk  indeed  ! 

Second  Mouse.  Ycs,  I'm  qnitc  snrc 
yon  wonld  be  very  pretty. 

Tin  Soldier.   And  I'd  bc  as  good  as 


68  CHRISTMAS  EVE  IN  AN  ATTIC 

any  other  tin  soldier,  if  I  had  a  new 
leg,  a  little  paint,  and  a  fresh  gun. 

First  Mouse.   Oh,  I  bolieve  that,  sir. 

Lion.  [Proudly.]   Only  my  mano's  gone. 

[To  Elephant]     But   I   SOO   yOU   haVO  lost 

your  trunk ! 

Elephant  Yos,  somo  ouo  broko  it  off. 
Now  if  I  had  a  new  trunk,  I'd  be  all 
right.  But  look  at  the  tiger !  He 
has  cracked  his  paint,  and  his  stripes 
are  all  gone.  It  would  be  hard  to 
make  him  look  new  again. 

Tiger.  Do  jou  mcau  mc  ?  Oh,  a 
few  stripes  of  new  paint,  and  Td  be 
as  fine  a  tiger  as  you  ever  saw. 
Listen !  Woolly  Dog  is  trying  to 
speak. 


CHRISTMAS  E^^  IX  AN  ATTIC  69 
Woolly  Dog.     [In  a  whisper.]      Mj    YoicG  is 

almost  gone.  Some  one  pimclied 
me  too  hard  once  and  broke  the 
sprmg.  If  I  had  a  new  spring, 
I'd  bark  louder  than  ever.  We'd 
never  even  hear  your  squeak  then, 
little  mice. 

Jack-in-the-box.  I  ncvcr  could  o'ct  back 
after  mv  lid  came  off.  A  hino;e  and 
a  few  screws,  and  I'd  be  as  good  as 
new.  It's  a  shame  to  leave  me  like 
this. 

Mice.  Hush  !  Some  one  is  comino^ 
up  the  stairs. 

[Mrs.  Santa  Claus  enters.] 
French  Doll.     Who  are  YOU? 

Mrs.  Santa  Claus.    I    am    Mrs.  Santa 


70  •   CHRISTMAS  EVE  IN  AN  ATTIC 

Clans.  Every  Christmas  Eve  I  find 
all  the  old  toys  I  can.  I  change 
them  into  new  ones.  Then  I  send 
them  to  the  little  children  who  have 
no  other  Christmas  toys.  I  knew 
rd  find  some  old  toys  in  this  attic ! 
Come  here,  all  of  you.  Let  me  see 
what  each  one  needs.    Please,  only 

one    at   a   time  !       [Toys  come  about  Mrs.  Santa 

Glaus.]  Now,  French  Doll,  Til  begin 
with  you.  There !  Tve  washed 
yovu^  face  and  combed  your  hair. 
You're  as  good  as  new. 

First  Mouse.   She  clocs  look  fine  ! 

Mrs.  Santa  Clans.     NoW,      Tin  Soldicr, 

what  can  I  do  for  you? 

Tin  Soldier.   Givo  me  a  new  red  coat. 


CHRISTMAS  EVE  IN  AN  ATTIC  71 

and  mend  my  leg.  Oli,  yes,  and  I'd 
like  a  new  gun,  too. 

Mrs.  Santa  Clans.     Hei'O    YOU    are,  Sir. 

Now,  Jack,  down  in  vour  box  while  I 
mend  tlie  lid.  There,  now  jou  can 
bob  up  as  well  as  ever. 

U.071.  If  YOU  please,  I  want  a  new 
mane.  A  little  boY  pulled  mine  oflF. 
I  hayen't  had  one  for  a  long  time. 

Woolly  Dog.  Plcasc  douH  forgct  me. 
I  can't  bark  till  I  get  a  new  spring. 

Mrs.  Santa  Claus.     CoillC,    Elcphailt  and 

Tio-er.  Ill  do  you  next.  There,  Tyc 
seen  you  all.  You  are  now  as  good 
as  toys  can  be. 

French  Doll    ArC    WO    to    staY    ill  tllis 

.  old  attic  ? 


72  CHRISTMAS  EVE  IN  AN  ATTIC 

Tin  Soldier.  Can't  WG  be  put  on  a 
Christmas  tree  again  1 

Mrs.  Santa  claus.  No.  Listen  to  me. 
You  are  all  to  go  out  into  the  world 
to-night.  Each  one  of  you  must 
make  one  little  child  happy.  Go 
the  way  you  wish,  but  be  sure  to 
find  the  child  that  needs  you  most. 
I  must  hurry  to  another  old  attic 
over  the  way.     Good  night,  toys. 

[Toys  go  away.] 

First  Mouse.  Will  cach  toy  try  to 
make  some  child  glad  on  Christmas 
morning  ? 

Second  Mouse.    I  hopC  SO.      HoW  happy 

they  all  looked  as  they  went  out  ! 


THE  NEW  YEAR 

New  Year.   Here  I  aiii ! 

Old  Year.  0\\,  tliere  jou  are,  are 
you  ?  Come  in  and  let  us  have  a 
look  at  you,  and  shut  tlie  door, 
please,  after  you. 

New  Year.  Frosty  uiglit !  Fine  and 
clear.    Fve  liad  a  pleasant  journey. 

Old  Year.    Humpll  !      I    dou't  OXpOCt 

to  find  mine  pleasant.  A  long  cold 
drive,  I  call  it.  But  to  be  sure,  I 
thought  it  pleasant  when  I  was  your 
age,  youngster !  Is  the  sleigh  waiting  ? 

New  Year.  Yos,  but  thcro  is  uo  hurry. 
Wait  a  bit  and  tell  me  how  matters 
are  in  these  parts. 

Old  Year.    [Shaking  his  head.]    So,  SO  !  They 
73 


74  THE  NEW  YEAR 

might  be  better  and  yet  tbey  might  be 
worse,  too.  Thej  were  worse  before 
I  came,  much  worse.  I  have  done  a 
great  deal.  Now  I  expect  you,  my 
boy,  to  do  just  as  I  did.  Be  a  good 
year  all  the  way  through. 

New  Year.  I  shall  do  my  bcst,  you 
may  be  sure.  And  now  tell  me  a 
little  what  there  is  to  do. 

Old  Year.  In  the  first  place,  you  have 
the  weather  to  attend  to.  You  see 
the  seasons  have  a  way  of  running 
into  each  other  and  getting  mixed, 
if  you  don't  keep  a  sharp  lookout 
on  them.  The  months,  too,  are  a 
troublesome  set.  Then  you  must  be 
careful  how  you  turn  on  wet  and 


THE  NEW  YEAR  75 

dry  weather.  And  one  thing  I  want 
you  to  do  very  carefully  —  watch  the 
leaves  that  are  turned. 

New  Year.  I  thouoht  Autumn  at- 
tended  to  that  sort  of  thino; ! 

Old  Year.  Oh,  I  dou't  mean  leaves  of 
trees.  You  know  that  at  the  beo;m- 
ning  of  a  year  half  the  people  in 
the  world  say,  I  am  going  to  turn 
over  a  new  leaf ! They  mean  that 
they  are  going  to  be  better  than 
they  have  ever  been  before.  But 
leaves  do  not  stay  turned  over.  I 
know  a  great  many  little  boys  who 
said  they  were  going  to  turn  over 
new  leaves.  They  were  not  going  to 
tear  their  clothes,  nor  lose  their  jack- 


76  THE  NEW  YEAR 

knives,  nor  bring  mud  into  the  house 
on  their  boots.  And  the  little  girls 
were  going  to  keep  their  rooms  tidy 
and  their  buttons  sewed  on.  But  I 
haven't  seen  much  change  in  most 
of  them. 

New  Year.  Ill  attend  to  that.  Any- 
thing else  ? 

Old  Year.  Abovo  all,  take  care  of 
the  children.  Give  them  all  the 
good  weather  you  can.  And  now 
the  horses  are  ready  to  go.  My  time 
is  nearly  up,  so  I  start  on  my  long 
drive.  You  will  find  everything  in 
pretty  good  shape.  Well,  well,  my 
boy,  good-by,  good  luck  to  you. 

—  Adapted. 


A  FRIENDSHIP  DECLINED 


Characters  —  Mary  and  a  Kitten 
{Mary  wears  a  gray  fur  bonnet) 

Mary.   Piissj,  aren't  you  cold? 
Pussy.  Me-ow  ! 

Mary,   Pussj,  areii't  you  cold? 
Don't  look  so  sad. 
Come  here  to  me, 
At  liome,  Tve  kittens  two  — 
And  I  sliould  like  —  indeed  I 

should 
To  make  a  friend  of  you. 

77 


78  A  FRIENDSHIP  DECLINED 

Pussy.  Me-ow ! 

Mary.    To  make  a  friend  of  you. 
Pussy.  I  tliank  you,  Miss,  for  your 
kind  words, 

And  know  they're  gently  said ; 

But  truth  to  speak;, 

I  do  not  like 

That  thing  upon  your  head. 
For  much  it  looks  to  me  as 

though 
Your  very  furry  hat, 
So  soft  and  fine,  might  once 

have  been 
A  very  furry  cat. 

Me-ow ! 
A  very  furry  cat. 


THE  SELFISH  MAN 

Characters  —  Man,  Camel,  Wise  Man,  Tiger 

Camel.  Praj^  sii%  wliere  are  joii 
goino;  ? 

Man.  I  am  ffoino;  to  tlie  Wise  Man 
to  seek  mj  fortune. 

Camel  Sook  mine,  too.  I  have  had 
these  sacks  of  gokl  on  mv  back  for 
a  lono;  time.  I  cannot  lie  down. 
Seek  mine,  too. 

Man.     I  wiU. 

Tiger.  Praj,  sir,  where  are  you 
going  ? 

Man.  I  am  o;oinff  to  the  Wise  Man 
to  seek  my  fortune. 

Tiger.  Sock  mine,  too.  For  a  long 
time  I  have  had  this  thorn  in  my 

79 


80  THE  SELFISH  MAN 

foot,  I  cannot  rest.     Seek  mine,  too. 

Man.    I   Will.       [Man  comes  to  Wise  Man] 

Wise  Man.  I  praj  jou,  sii%  wlij  are 
jou  here? 

Man.  I  seek  my  fortune.  I  am  a 
very  poor  man. 

Wise  Man.  Then,  I  foar  you  have 
been  living  only  for  yourself.  Think 
of  making  others  rich  and  you  will 
become  rich. 

Man.  In  the  jungle  I  met  a  camel. 
He  carried  two  sacks  of  o;old  on  his 
back.  They  were  so  heavy  that  he 
could  not  lie  down.  He  asked  me 
to  seek  his  fortune,  too. 

Wise  Man.  Take  the  sacks  off  his 
back.     Then  he  will  be  free,  and 


THE  SELFISH  MAN  81 

you  will  have  tlie  gold.  Why  did 
you  not  do  it  before  1 

Man.  I  was  tliiiikiiig  only  of  my- 
self. After  that  I  met  a  tiger. 
For  many  days  he  has  had  a  thorn 
in  his  foot.  He  cannot  rest.  He 
asked  me  to  seek  his  fortune^  too. 

Wise  Man.  Take  the  thorn  out  of  his 
foot,  and  both  of  you  will  gain  by  it. 
Why  did  you  not  think  of  this  before? 

Man.  I  was  thinking  only  of  my- 
self.     [Man  goes  homeward.    He  meets  the  tiger.] 

Tiger.  Havo  you  fouud  my  fortune  ? 
Man.   The  Wise  Man  told  me  to 
take  the  thorn  out  of  your  foot. 

[Pulls  thorn  out  and  starts  to  go  on.] 

Tiger.   Thauk  you.    Horo,  take  my 


LITTLE   DRAMAS  6 


82  THE  SELFISH  MAN 

treasure.    I  did  not  tliink  of  sfiviiiP: 

o  o 

it   to   yOVl   before.       [Man  goes  on.] 

Camel.  Havo  jou  fouiid  Hij  fortune  ? 
Man.  The  Wise  Man  told  me  to 
take  the  sacks  off  your  back. 

[Man  takes  off  sacks.] 

Camel.  Tliauk  jou.  But  stop ! 
These  sacks  are  full  of  o;old.  Take 
them^  and  both  of  us  will  be  happy. 
Why  did  we  not  think  of  this  before  ? 

Man.  We  were  thinking  only  of 
ourselves. 


THE  MAGPIE'S  NEST 


Characters 
'  Magpie      Thrush      Blackbird      Wise  Owl 
Starling  Sparrow  Turtledove 

Thrush.  Oil,  Mrs.  Magpie,  I  wish 
YOU  would  teach  us  how  you  build 
your  nest.  Every  one  says  your 
nest  is  made  better  than  any  other. 

Magpie.  Is  that  true  ?  Indeed ! 
Come  nearer  then,  and  I  will  show 

VOU  how  I  do  it.,     [Birds  draw  7iear.]  YoU 

see  I  take  some  mud  and  make  a 
round  cake  with  it. 

83 


84  THE  MAGPIE'S  NEST 

Thrush.   Oil,  tliat^s  liow  it^s  clone ! 

I  can  make   OllG  now.     [Flies  away.] 

Magpie.     Oil  !    tllG    tllTUsll    Went  tOO 

soon.  It  is  not  yet  done.  Now  I 
lay  some  twigs  in  the  mnd  this  way 
and  that  way,  this  way  and  that 
way. 

Blackbird.    I   SeO  !      I   SeO  !      [Flies  away.] 

Magpie.  What !  Has  the  blackbird 
gone,  too  ?  Next  another  layer  of 
mud  —  twigs  and  mud,  twigs  and 
mud. 

Wise  Owl.  Oh,  that's  very  easy !  [FUes  off.] 
Magpie.   Does   the   wise  owl  think 
that's  all?    Now  more  twigs  round 
the  outside.     Up  and  down ;  in  and 
out ;  round  and  round. 


THE  ^lAGPIE'S  XEST  85 
S-parroir.     TllG    YerV    tllillO\      [Flies  off.] 

Magpie.  Oil  I  biit  tlie  iiest  is  not 
lined  yet.  I  make  it  soft  and  warm 
inside  with  featliers. 

Starling.     That    SuitS    mO.      [Flies  off.] 

Magpie.   Has  tlio  starling  gone,  too? 
It  will  take  just  one  minute  more. 
Turtledove.   Take  two.  Tousev.  take 

tWO-0-0. 

Magpie.   One  is  onougli. 
Turtledove.   Take  two,  Tousov.  take 
two-0-0. 

Maqpie.  One  is  enough.  I  tell  you. 
Oh  1  are  thev  all  g'one  but  vou.  sillv 
turtledove  ?  And  I  have  just  fin- 
ished mv  nest.  Xone  of  them  will 
make  a  nest  like  mine. 


ADVENTURES  OF  THE 
FIRST  SPRING 


Characters 
Mr.  Sparrow     Mrs.  Sparrow      Crocus  Mary 
Pussy  Willow    Fern  Violet  Children 

Mr.  Sv arrow.  There  !  rm  o4ad  enousrli 
to  see  tlie  last  of  that  snow.  Chirp, 
chirp !  Did  you  notice;,  my  dear 
Mrs.  Sparrow,  how  quickly  it  melted 
at  the  last  ? 

Mrs.  Sparrmv.    YoS,     it     SOCmcd     iu  a 

great  hurry  to  go.     It  did  the  same 

86 


ADVENTURES  OF  THE  FIRST  SPRING  87 

thing  last  year  when  tlie  warm  clajs 
came. 

Mr.  Sparrow,    YgS,  YGS^  it  alwaVS  cloGS 

—  and  don't  yon  know  why  ?  How 
conld  the  little  worms  and  o^reen 
things  come  np  ont  of  the  gronnd 
if  the  snow  stayed  all  snmmer  long? 
And  then  what  should  we  do  for 
g'ood  thinos  to  eat  ? 

Mrs.  Sparrow.     Oil,    JCS,    of  COUrSO  ! 

Mr.  Sparrow.  I  sce  a  womi  now. 
You  stay  rio;ht  here  and  111  get  him 

for  you.       [He  flies  down  and  carries  away  the  worm.] 

Violet.  That's  good.  Worms  are 
such  dreadful  creatures  ;  ahvays 
wriggling  about  one's  feet.  I  ayou- 
der  what  they  are  good  for.  Dear 


88        ADVENTURES  OF  THE  FIRST  SPRING 

me^  there's  Miss  Crocus.  Good  morn- 
ing !    Did  you  liave  a  good  sleep  ? 

Crocus.  Yes,  indeed.  But  I  can't 
unroll  my  petals  far  enougli,  I  just 
want  to  stretch  and  stretch. 

Violet  But  it's  good  to  bc  back  in 
the  sunshine  again. 

o 

[Two  children  enter  the  woods.] 

First  Child.  Oh,  just  see  what  I've 
found,  a  violet  —  a  real  one  —  and 
it's  a  white  one,  too.  Won't  Mary 
be  glad. 

Second  Child.  Oh,  oh.  Can't  you  find 
another  ? 

First  Child.  No,  there  is  just  this 
one.  I  am  going  to  take  it  up  by 
the  roots.     Then  it  won't  wither. 


ADVENTURES  OF  THE  FIRST  SPRING  89 

[Child  digs  up  violet  and  puts  it  in  her  basket  with  the  other 
flowers.] 

Pussy  Willow.  [In  basket.]   Dear  me !  What 

does  tliis  mean  ?  Why,  Violet, 
yoiiVe  got  some  dirt  in  my  eye 
and  on  my  nice  new  fur. 

Fern.     [In  basket.]    It  SOrVOS  yOU  right  for 

being  so  proud.  You  think  your- 
self better  and  prettier  than  others. 
Something  always  happens  to  any 
one  who  does  that. 

Pussy  Willow.  I  wasn^t  speaking  to  you. 

Violet.  Oh,  please  don't  quarrel.  I 
am  sure  I  am  sorry  if  I  have  hurt 
any  one.  It  was  not  my  fault.  I 
didn't  want  to  come  here  a  bit. 
How^  I  wish  I  could  get  out. 


90        ADVENTURES  OF  THE  FIRST  SPRING 

Fern.  Humpli !  Little  good  it  will 
do  to  get  out.  I  think  these  are 
the  very  people  that  Mr.  Oak  Tree 
v^as  telling  me  about.  They  come 
every  year  looking  for  ferns  and 
flowers.  He  says  some  of  my  an- 
cestors for  many  generations  have 
gone  the  same  way.  They  always 
choose  the  finest^  at  any  rate. 

[At  Home.] 

First  Child.  Oh,  Mary,  I  found  the 
sweetest  little  violet  for  you  —  a 
white  one.  I  dug  it  up  with  all  its 
roots,  so  it  will  not  wither. 

Mary.  How  lovcly  !  You  are  very 
kind  to  bring  me  such  beautiful 
flowers. 


ADATXTURES  OF  THE  FIRST  SPRIXG  91 


Second  Child.  It's  the  first  OllG  tliat 
came  up. 

Mary.     HoW    I'd     love    tO    lllUlt  for 

tlie  violets  1  But  it's  hard  for  anv 
one  who  is  hime  to  go  to  the  woods. 
I  don't  suppose  I  shall  ever  go  there 
mvself. 


92        ADVENTURES  OF  THE  FIRST  SPRING 

First  Child.  Yes^  jou  shalL  Some 
day  we'll  all  go  together. 

Mary.  Poor  little  flowor  !  I  won- 
der if  it  was  sorry  to  leave  its  place 
in  the  woods  to  stay  with  me  in  this 
room.  Please  give  it  some  water  to 
drink.     Then  it  will  go  on  living. 

Violet  How  thankful  I  am  that  I 
came.  Just  a  few  days  later  and 
I  might  have  withered  there  in  the 
meadow.  I  would  have  been  of  no 
use  to  any  one.  Now  I  can  make  this 
little  girl  happy.  I  am  so  glad  I  grew. 
The  best  of  all  is  to  make  some  one 
happy. 

—  Adapted. 


THE  BIRD'S  NEST 


Characters — Yelloiv-hreast,   Bobolink,  Cuckoo, 
Crow,  Cow,  Dog,  Sheep,  Hen,  Little  Boy 

Yellow-breast.    To-wllit,  to-wllit,  tO-wliee  ! 

AYill  YOU  listen  to  me? 
Who  stole  four  eo;o;s  I  laid 

And  tlie  nice  nest  I  made? 

93 


94  THE  BIRD'S  NEST 

Cow.  Not  I.    Moo-00  !  Moo-00 ! 

Such  a  thing  Td  never  do ! 
I  gave  jou  a  wisp  of  hay 
But  didn't  take  your  nest 
away. 

Not  I!  Moo-00  !  Moo-00 ! 
Such  a  thins:  Td  never  do. 

Yellow-breast   To-whit^    to-whit,   tO-wheO  ! 

Will  you  listen  to  me? 
Who  stole  four  es:ss  I  laid 


And  the 
made  ? 


nice    nest  I 


Bobolink. 


Bob-o-link !  Bob-o-link ! 
Now  what  do  you  think? 
Who  stole  a  nest  away 
From  the  plum  tree  to-day? 


THE  BIRD'S  XEST  95 

Dog.  Not    I!    Bow-wow!  Bow- 

wow  ! 

I  wouldn't  be  so  mean,  I 

TOW  ! 

I  o-'RYe  liairs  tlie  nest  to 
make, 

But  the  nest  I  did  not  take! 
Not    I !    Bow-wow !  Bow- 
wow ! 

I  woukln't  be  so  mean,  I 

VOAV. 


0y 


Yeliow-hreast.  To-wkit.  to-wkit,  to-wkee ! 
A\  ill  YOU  listen  to  me? 
AVko    stole    four    eggs  I 
laid 

And  tke  nice  nest  I  made? 


THE  BIRD'S  NEST 

Bob-o-link!  Bob-o-link! 

Now  what  do  you  think? 
Who  stole  a  nest  away 
From  the  plum  tree,  to-day  ? 

Coo-coo!  Coo-coo!  Coo-coo! 
Let  me  speak  a  word,  too! 
Who  stole  that  pretty  nest 
From  little  Yellow-breast  ? 

Not  I!  Oh;  no!  Oh,  no! 
I  wouldn't  treat  a  poor 

bird  so. 
I  gave  wool  the  nest  to  line ; 
But  the  nest  was  none  of 

mine ! 

Oh,  no !  Oh,  no !  I  wouldn't 
treat  a  poor  bird  so. 


THE  BIRD'S  NEST  97 
Yellow-breast.     To-wllit,   to-wllit,  to-wliee ! 

Will  you  listen  to  me? 
Who  stole  four  eo;o^s  I  laid 
And  the  nice  nest  I  made? 


Bobolink. 


Cuckoo, 


Crow. 


Bob-o-link  !  Bob-o-link! 
Now  what  do  you  think  ? 
Who  stole  a  nest  away 
From  the  plum  tree,  to-day? 


c 


00-COO 


C 


00-COO 


!C 


00-COO 


Let  me  speak  a  word,  too. 
Who  stole  that  pretty  nest 
From  little  Yellow-breast  I 

Caw,  caw !  Hear  the  crow  ! 
I  should  like  to  know 
What  thief  took  away 
A  bird's  nest,  to-day? 


LITTLE   DRAMAS  7 


98  THE  BIRD'S  NEST 

Hen.  Cluck!   Cluck!    Hear  me 

then ! 

Don't  ask  me  aorain! 
Why^  I  haven't  a  chick 
Would  do  such  a  trick! 
We  all  gave  her  a  feather 
And   she  wove  them  to- 
gether, 
rd  scorn  to  intrude 
On  her  and  her  brood. 
Cluck,   cluck !    hear  me 
then, 

Don't  ask  me  again. 


Bobolink, 

Cuckoo, 

Crow. 


Chir  r-a- whir  r !       C  h  i  r  r-a- 
whirr! 

All  the  birds  make  a  stir, 


THE  BIRD'S  NEST?  99 

Let  us  find  out  his  name 
And  all  cry  "  For  shame  ! 

Little  Boy.      I  stole  that  prottj  nest 

From  poor  little  Yellow- 
breast. 

And  I  feel  so  full  of  shame 
I  do  not  like  to  tell  my 
name  ! 

—  Adapted  from  Lydi A  Maria  Child. 


THE  BOASTFUL  BAMBOO 
TREE 


Characters 
Boastful  Bamboo  Little  Tree 

Boy  Girl  Woodcutter 

Scene  I  —  In  the  Forest 

Boastful  Bamboo.  Little  baiiiboo  tree, 
you  bow  and  bend  to  every  wind 
tliat  blows.  A  bamboo  tree  should 
never  show  fear.  Look  at  me  !  I 
stand  straight  and  strong  and  bow 
to  no  one. 

Little  Tree.  I  kuow  you  are  strong. 
You  are  much  stronger  than  I  am. 
I  am  only  fit  to  trim  the  houses  for 
the  New  Year's  feast.  But  you 
will  be  used  in  making  some  great 
house  or  maybe  in  making  a  palace. 

100 


THE  BOASTFUL  BA^IBOO  TREE  101 
Boastful  Bamboo.     Olllv    that  I       I  shall 

be  chosen  for  the  mast  of  a  big  ship. 
Every  one  Avill  look  at  me  and  say, 
See  what  a  beautifiil  mast  that 
ship  lias  I  As  for  you.  timid  little 
tree,  you  will  never  be  brave  enough 
even  to  deck  the  New  Year's  feast. 

Little  Tree.     AVllO  IvUOWS  ?       If  I  groW 

straight  and  strong.  I  may  be  chosen 
to  do  some  good  in  the  world  I 

ScEXE  II  —  In  the  Forest  (Jafer^ 
Boy.    [Looking  at  the  Boastful  Bamboo.]     What  a 

big.  strong.  Ijamboo  tree  ! 

Girl.  But  this  dear  little  one  beside 
it  is  prettier  than  any  of  the  others. 

Boy.  Yes  :  let  us  Ijind  her  with  our 
o-arland  of  flowers. 


102  THE  BOASTFUL  BAMBOO  TREE 


Girl.  Well  call  lier  tlie  Lady  Silver 
Mist. 

Woodcutter.    [Looking  at  the  big  bamboo  tree.]  Here 

is  a  tall,  straight  tree.  It  will  do  for 
a  mast.     I  will  cut  it  first. 

Boastful  Bamboo.    [To  Little  Tree.]  Good-by, — 

I  am  sorry  for  you.  I  shall  see  the 
world  now  and  do  o;reat  things. 
Good-by,  Little  Tree ! 

Little  Tree.   Good-by !    Good  fortuue 

go  with  you  !       [Big  tree  fails.] 


THE  BOA>STFUL  BAMBOO  TREE  103 

Boy.  I'm  glad  lie  didn't  take  our 
little  tree. 

Girl.    [To  Woodcutter.]     Please    doil't  Cllt 

down  our  little  tree.  In  all  the 
forest  we  love  it  best. 

Woodcutter.  All,  I  soo  tlio  little  tree 
lias  friends. 

Girl.  Yes,  Ave  call  lier  tlie  Lady 
Silver  Mist,  and  slie  is  our  play- 
mate. 

Woodcutter.     But  I'vO  boeu  SOUt  tO  CUt 

down  all  the  trees  in  the  forest. 
You  must  dig  it  up  and  carry  it 
away,  if  you  wish  to  keep  it. 

Boy.  ril  dig  it  up.  AVell  take  it 
home  and  plant  it  in  our  garden  by 

the  sea.       [Children  carry  of  the  tree.] 


104  THE  BOASTFUL  BAMBOO  TREE 

Scene  III  —  In  the  Garden  {after  storm) 

Little  Tree.  All  niglit  the  wavGs  of  the 
sea  tossed  the  white  foam  and  dashed 
the  ships  about.  All  around  me  lie 
pieces  of  wood  washed  up  by  the  sea. 
What  is  this  at  my  feet  ?  A  piece 
of  a  great  bamboo  tree  !  Can  it  be 
my  friend  of  the  forest  ? 

Boastful  Bamboo.     AlaS  !       I     am  yOUT 

poor  friend. 

Little  Tree.    I  wisll  I  COuld  help  yOU. 

Boastful  Bamboo.  No  ouo  cau  help  me. 
I  wish  that  I  had  lived  in  a  garden 
as  you  have.  Then  I  might  have 
been  useful  for  many  years.  Fare- 
well, Little  Tree. 


RETURN  OF  SPRING 

Time  —  Morning  —  Breakfast 

Place  —  A  Garden  on  Mt.  Olyrnpus 

Characters  —  Spring,  Columbine,  Pantaloon,  Cloivn 

Columbine.  Springs  Spring  !  Oli^,  you 
nauffhty  boy.     Why  are  you  here  ? 

Spring.  They  didn't  want  me,  and 
neither  do  you. 

Columbine.  Oil,  YOU  poor  dear  boy. 
Come  alono;  at  once  to  the  fire  and 
haye  some  breakfast. 

Spring.  I  didn't  come  in  before, 
because    I    thought    you  woukhi't 

want    me.      [All  sit  down  to  breakfast.] 

Clown.  Sausao;es  1  Tm  tired  of 
sausao-es :  such  ages  since  we  had 
anything  else. 

Pantaloon.    Ho!  ho!  lie!    [Waves  his  wand.] 

105 


106  RETURN  OF  SPRING 

Well  have  rabbit  pie^  then.    [Dish  of 

sausages  turns  to  rabbit  pie.] 

Clown.  Do  you  know  how  they  get 
the  rabbits  into  the  pie? 

Spring.    [Shakes  his  head.]  No. 

Clown.  Would  you  like  to  know  ? 

Spring.   Please,  sir. 

Clown.  Well,  first  of  all,  you  make 
a  nice  rich  brown  crust,  and  you 
put  it  over  a  large  dish.  Then 
you  cut  a  round  hole  from  the  pie 
crust.  Fill  the  dish  with  lettuce 
and  put  it  out  on  the  lawn. 

Spring.   Ou  the  lawu  ? 

Clown.  Yes.  Then  the  rabbits  come. 
They  pop  down  the  hole  in  the  crust 
to  eat  the  lettuce.    When  the  pie  is 


RETURN  OF  SPRING  107 

full  of  rabbits,  you  ruu  from  behind 
a  tree,  cover  the  hole  in  the  crust, 


and  then  with  the  dish  in  your 
arms,   you   dash  into  the  kitchen, 


108  RETURN  OF  SPRING 

—  pie  in  the  oven,  oven  hot,  fire 
bright  —  and,  here  we  are! 

Columbine.  Don't  jou  believe  him. 

Pantaloon.    [To  Spring.]     Whj     did  JOU 

come  back  ? 

Spring.  The  farmers  said  I  made 
the  buds  come  out  too  soon.  I 
only  stroked  the  trees  and  the  little 
sticky  buds  peeped  out  to  kiss  my 
hand.  The  gardeners  were  angry 
because,  where  I  stepped,  the  flowers 
came  out  too  soon,  they  said,  and 
then  — 

Columbine.  Ncvcr  mind,  dear.  We 
are  all  glad  to  see  you. 

Pantaloon.    And   thcu  ? 

Spring.   Then  East  Wind  came  and 


RETURN  OF  SPRING  109 

Snow  and  Jack  Frost,  and  they 
nipped  my  flowers,  and  hurt  my 
trees,  and  made  my  lambs  sliiyer 
behind  the  hedges.  The  goblins 
who  sins  in  the  fire  hobs  sano^  and 
sang  till  the  people  turned  their 
backs  on  me  and  crouched  up  to 
the  fire  ao-'ain  and  becv'an  to  tell 
ghost  stories. 

Colli  mhine.  But  you  must  go  back 
now,  and  fiaht  Jack  Frost  and  scare 
AVinter  away.  You  haye  had  your 
breakfast,  dear,  and  now  like  all 
the  world,  you  must  do  your  work. 
Yes,  dear,  you  must  keep  on  work- 
ing till  summer  wakes  up. 

Spring.  GrOod-by. 


WHO  HOLDS  UP  THE  SKY? 


Time  —  Spring     Place  — ^  Wood 

Characters  —  Daisy,  Rose,  Fir  Tree,  Elm,  Bird, 
Mountain 


Daisy.    Oh  clear,  Miss  Rose,  do  tell 
me  please. 

Is  it  you  holds  up  the  sky  ? 
Rose.     Dear  Daisy,  no,  no,  indeed, 

I  cannot  reach  so  high. 

110 


WHO  HOLDS  UP  THE  SKY?  Ill 

And  very  far  above  me 
Is  the  blue  and  lovely  sky. 

But  if  vou  wish  to  know. 
To  find  out  I  will  trv. 
Perhaps  that  tall  fir  tree 
Is  holding  up  the  sky. 

\To  the  fir  tree] 

You  lift  vour  head  so  hio4i, 
Do  you  hold  up  the  sky  ? 

Fir  Tree.    [Shaking  his  head] 

Oh  no,  indeed,  sweet  Rose 
It  surelv  is  not  I ! 
It  may  be  this  lofty  elm, 
Who  stands  to  me  so  ni^h. 

Elm.     No,  no,  it  is  not  I. 

But  a  mountain  very  tall 


112  WHO  HOLDS  UP  THE  SKY? 

In  the  distance  I  can  spy, 
And  on  his  shoulders  rests, 
I  think,  the  wondrous  sky. 

[Calling  to  the  mountain.] 

You  lift  your  head  so  high, 
Do  you  hold  up  the  sky  ? 

Mountain.   And  who  is  it  who  would 
For  these  secrets  pry  ? 
I've  stood  here  many  an  age, 
But  I  never  touched  the  sky. 


Rose.        Sweet  Daisy,  dearest  friend, 
I  fear  before  we  die 
We  never  shall  find  out 
Who  is  holding  up  the  sky. 

[A  bird  alights  on  the  fir  tree.] 


WHO  HOLDS  UP  THE  SKY?  113 
Daisy  and  Rose.  [Together.] 

0  Bird,  YOU  Ay  up  so  liigli, 
AVill  YOU  not  please  tell  us 
AVlio  is  holding  up  the  sky  ? 

Bird.    'Tis  He  who  made  the  daisy 
And  He  who  made  the  rose; 
^Tis  He  who  made  the  fir  tree, 
Tlie  elm,  and  all  that  m^ovs^^, 

^Tis  He  who  made  the  mountain 
And  made  the  bird  to  fly  — 
The  o^^ood  and  HeaYenlY  Father, 
AVho  holdeth  up  the  sky. 

—  Adapted. 


LITTLE   DRAMAS  8 


THE  FOX'S  PLAN 

Characters  —  Tiger,  Hunter,  Fox 
Tiger.    [To  fox  in  a  net]     So  JOU  are  here. 

Cauo;lit ! 

Fox.  Only  to  help  you,  Tiger. 

Tiger.     To  liolp  1110  ?      HoW  is  that  ? 

Fox.  Why,  the  other  clay  you  said 
you  could  not  get  enough  men  to  eat. 
So  I  got  into  this  net.  When  the 
men  come  to  take  me  you  may  get 
the  men. 

Tiger.  A  fine  plan  !  Can  I  believe 
you? 

114 


THE  FOX'S  PL  AX  115 

For.  Believe  me.  Hide  in  the 
bushes  close  by.  Ill  show  you  the 
men  when  thev  come. 

Tiger.     CclU  I  belicve  YOU  ? 

Fox.  Believe  me.  Tiger.  Here 
comes   one   now.     Quick !  Behind 

the  bushes  !      [Tiger  hides.] 

Hunter.  [To  fox.]  So  licre  YOU  are. 
Caught ! 

Fox.    Onlv  to  help  von,  Hunter. 

Hunter.     To      help       UlC  ?        HoW  is 

that  ? 

Fox.  AVhv,  the  other  dav  von  said 
YOU  could  not  get  the  tiger  who  has 
been  killing  and  eating  vour  cattle. 
So  I  got  into  this  net  to-dav  that  you 
mav  have  him. 


116  THE  FOX'S  PLAN 

Hunter.  A  fine  plan.  Can  I  believe 
you  ?    But  how  will  I  get  him  ? 

Fox.  Believe  me.  Hunter.  [Quietly.] 
He  came  here  to  eat  me  up,  but  he 
saw  you  coming.  He  is  now  behind 
the  bushes.  Let  me  out  of  this  net, 
and  I  will  take  you  right  to  him. 

Hunter.  Can  I  bclieve  you  ? 

Fox.  Believe  me,  Hunter.  Only  let 
me  out,  and  you'll  see.  [Hunter  ids  fox  out] 
Come  !  [Calling  out  loud.]  Now,  Sir  Tiger, 
here  is  the  hunter  ;  and,  Mr.  Hunter, 
there  is  your  tiger.  I  have  kept  my 
word  to  both  ;  you  must  settle  the 
matter  between  yourselves. 

[Fox  runs  off.] 

Hunter.  Alas  !    Alas  ! 


TOM  AND  THE  LOBSTER 


Place  —  Among  the  rocks 
Characters  —  Tom,  Lobster 

Tom.    [To  lobster  caught  in  a  lobster  pot.]  What, 

have  you  been  naughty,  and  have 
they  put  you  m  the  lockup  ? 

Lobster.    I  CaU^t  ffOt  OUt. 

Tom.   Why  did  you  get  m  ? 

Lobster.  I  canio  hi  for  that  ugly 
piece  of  fish. 

Tom.   Where  did  you  get  in  ? 

Lobster.  Throuo4i  that  round  hole 
at  the  top. 

Tom.  Then  why  don't  you  get  out 
through  it  ? 

Lobster.  Because  I  can't.  I  have 
jumped  upwards,  downwards,  back- 

117 


118  TOM  AND  THE  LOBSTER 

wards,  and  sideways,  at  least  four 
thousand  times,  and  I  can't  ^et  out. 
I  always  get  up  underneatli  then 
and  can't  find  the  hole. 

Tom.  Stop  a  bit.  Turn  your  tail 
up  to  me,  and  TU  pull  you  through 
hindforemost,  and  then  you  won't 

stick    in     the     spikes.       [Tom  piUls  lobster.] 

Hello,  here  is  a  pretty  business. 
Now  take  your  great  claws  and 
break  the  point  off  those  spikes, 
and  then  we  shall  both  get  out 
easily. 

Lobster.  Dear  me,  I  never  thought 
of  that ! 


•     WHY  THE  JELLYFISH 
HAS  NO  SHELL 

Characters  —  Fishes,  Turtle,  three  Monkeys,  Jelly- 
^   fish.  Queen  Osa 

Scene  1- -Under  the  Sea 

First  Fish.  What  is  tliG  matter,  little 
fish? 

Little  Fish.  Have  YOU  iiot  heard  ? 
Our  sea  queen  is  very  ill. 

First  Fish.  Osa,  our  queeu,  very  ill, 
did  you  say  ? 

Little  Fish.  Yes,  yes,  we  have  done 
everything ;    but   she  grows  worse. 

Second  Fish.    We  fear  she  must  die. 

119 


120      WHY  THE  JELLYFISH  HAS  NO  SHELL 

First  Fish.  This  cannot  be.  Come, 
tell  me  what  you  have  done. 

Little  Fish.  Oh,  WO  fed  her  seaweed 
and  laid  her  upon  a  bank  of  sponges. 
Every  little  fish  helped.  But  she  is 
no  better. 

First  Fish.  Our  queou  Osa  !  This  is 
sad  indeed.  Is  there  no  wise  creature 
in  the  sea  who  can  help  us  ? 

Third  Fish.  There  must  be.  Let  us 
think  hard. 

Little  Fish.  I  know.  Let^s  ask  the 
turtle.  He's  wise.  He  goes  out  of 
the  sea  upon  the  land.  Surely  he 
must  learn  many  things  there.  Per- 
haps he  is  just  the  one  to  tell  us 
what  to  do  to  save  our  queen. 


WHY  THE  JELLYFISH  HAS  XO  SHELL  121 

Second  Fish.     Go     at     OllCG    Rlicl  brillP' 

o 

him    back    with    you.       [Little  Fish  goes  out.] 

First  Fish.  He  won't  be  gone  loiio;. 
No  one  swims  faster  than  our  little 
fish. 

Third  Fish.  Here  he  comes  back 
already,  and  the  turtle  is  with 
him. 

All  the  Fish.  GrOod,  gOod.  [  Turtle  and  Little 
Fish  enter.] 

First  Fish.  0  Turtle.  haYe  you  heard 
that  our  sea  queen  is  about  to  die  ? 

Turtle.   I  know  that  she  is  YerY  ill. 

Second  Fish.  Can  YOU  uot  help  us  to 
saYe  her  ?  You  are  wise,  Tiu^tle. 
It's  because  you  don't  stay  down  in 
the  sea,  but  go  upon  the  land,  that 


122      WHY  THE  JELLYFISH  HAS  NO  SHELL 

yoLi  learn  about  so  many  thingSo 
What  will  cure  our  queen  1 

Turtle.  [Slowly.]  Yes,  I  clo  leam  a 
great  many  things  on  tlie  land.  Let 
me  think  —  I  am  thinking  —  yes  — 
I  believe  —  yes  —  I  know^  Tm  sure 
I  know  just  what  will  save  her  life. 
I  have  it  —  a  monkey^  s  heart  —  the 
very  thing !  I  heard  about  it  one 
day  as  I  was  resting  upon  the  shore. 
A  monkey's  heart  can  cure  anything  ! 

All  the  Fish.    Woudcrful  ! 

LMe  Fish.  Will  you  go  and  get  one  ? 
0  Turtle,  you  know  we  would  go 
if  we  could  leave  our  homes  as  you 
can.     You  will  go,  won't  you  ? 

Turtle.     I  will  gO  at  OUCC. 


WHY  THE  JELLYFISH  HAS  XO  SHELL  123 
Scene  II  —  On  the  Seashore 

Turtle.  Dear  me  - —  not  a  monkey 
to  be  seen  anvwliere !  Well,  Tve 
waited  and   waited.     It's  very  liot 


liere  on  the  sand.     I'm  sleepy.  Ill 

jnst  take  a  nap.    [Sleeps.    Monkeys  {three)  come.] 
First  Monkey.    [Seeing  turtle.]     AVhat's  tllis  ? 
Second  Monkey.     I  don't  IvllOW.      I  llOyer 


124      WHY  THE  JELLYFISH  HAS  NO  SHELL 

saw  anything  like  that  before.  Now, 
I  see,  it^s  a  big  stone. 

First  Monkey.    So  it  is. 

Third  Monkey.    I  don^t  belie VO  it. 

Second  Monkey.    Well,     JOU     just  put 

your  paw  on  it  and  see.  There,  it^s 
as  hard  as  it  can  be. 

Third  Monkey.  I  know.  It^s  a  great 
shell.    [Touches  the  turtle.]   A  big  hard  one, 

hard  all  over.     [Turtle  wakes  and  catches  monkey.] 

Oh,  oh,  oh  !     Let  me  go. 

Turtle.  No,  I  wiU  not  let  you  go. 
Be  quiet  and  do  what  I  tell  you,  and 
I  will  not  hurt  you.  Your  brothers 
have  run  away.  You  must  come 
down  under  the  sea  with  me. 


[They  go  out  together.] 


WHY  THE  JELLYFISH  HAS  NO  SHELL  125 
Scene  III  —  Under  the  Sea 

Monkey.  Wlij  clo  tliGj  keep  iiie  here  ? 
No  one  to  talk  to^  no  one  to  plaj 
with,  no  trees  to  climb.  Only  one 
friend,  the  jellyfish  with  his  hard 
shell.  rd  like  him  better  if  he 
hadn't  one.  It  makes  me  think  of 
that  bad  turtle  that  brouo;ht  me 
down  here  on  his  hard  back.  Here 
comes  the  old  jellyfish  now. 

Jellyfish.  Hello,  Monkey,  you  look 
sad. 

Monkey.  So  would  vou  if  you  wanted 
trees  instead  of  seaweed,  and  land 
instead  of  water,  and  warm  sunshine, 
and  other  little  monkeys  to  play 
with. 


126      WHY  THE  JELLYFISH  HAS  NO  SHELL 

Jellyfish.  Poor  Monkey  !  I  am  sorry 
for  you.  But  of  course  you  must 
stay  here  until  they  come  to  get  you. 

Monkey.  Until  who  comcs  to  get  me  ? 

Jellyfish.  The  fish^  of  course.  Don't 
you  know  ? 

Monkey.  Indeed,  I  don't,  Jellyfish. 
What  do  you  mean  ? 

Jellyfish.  They  want  your  heart  for 
the  queen.  In  a  few  days  they'll 
come  and  kill  you  and  give  her 
your  heart  to  eat. 

Monkey.  Oil,  dear  me !  Give  my 
heart  to  the  queen  to  eat  ?  Why, 
Jellyfish,  do  you  know  what  you 
are  talking  about  ?  What  wrong 
have  I  done  that  I  should  be  killed  ? 


WHY  THE  JELLYFISH  HAS  NO  SHELL  127 
Jellyfish.     Oil,  You've  cloilG  110  WrOllg. 

But  our  clear  queen  is  verv  ill, 
and  Your  lieart  is  the  oiiIy  tliino;' 
that  will  cure  her.  We  cannot  o^et 
Your  heart  unless  we  kill  you  ;  so 
try  and  be  brave  about  it. 

[Jellyfish  swims  ofi'.] 
Mon'key.    [To  himself]     I     sliall    liot  Oive 

niY  heart  to  the  queen.  I  must  get 
awaY  from  here  somello^Y.  But  how  I 
I  do  not  know  the  wav.  OiiIy  the 
turtle  could  take  me  back,  and  he 
won't.  What  can  I  do  ?  Here 
conies  the  turtle  now. 

Turtle.  You  look  sad,  MoiikeY. 
What  is  the  matter  ? 

Monkey.    Dear   me,   Turtle,   I  was 


128      WHY  THE  JELLYFISH  HAS  NO  SHELL 

just  tliinking  of  some  tiling  I  have 
left  at  home  that  I  need  very  much. 

Turtle.  Indeed !  What  is  it,  dear 
Monkey  ? 

Monkey.  It's  my  heart,  Turtle.  Just 
before  I  left  home  I  hung  it  out  on 
a  bush  to  dry.  If  the  rain  comes,  it 
will  be  spoiled. 

Turtle.  What  is  tliis  you  tell  me  ? 

Monkey.  It's  about  my  heart.  Some 
one  must  carry  me  back  to  the  land 
so  that  I  can  get  it. 

Turtle.  Well,  well,  is  there  no  other 
way  ?  Then  I  must  take  you  back 
to  get  your  heart.  That  is  the  best 
plan,  and  we  must   start  at  once. 

Come.    [They  go  out  together.] 


TTHY  THE  JELLYFISH  HAS  XO  SHELL  129 


Scene  IV  —  Home  of  the  Sea  Queen 
[Turtle  comes  in  looking  very  sad] 

Queen  Osa.  Mv  cloar  Turtle,  wliere 
have  vou  been  so  long,  and  oli,  what 
lias  happened  to  you  1 

Turtle.  Dear  Queen.  I  am  very  sad, 
and  verv  cold,   and  verv  ill.  Mv 

LITTLE   DRAMAS  9 


130      WHY  THE  JELLYFISH  HAS  NO  SHELL 

poor  body  is  without  its  covering,  for 
see,  I  have  lost  my  sliell. 

Queen  Osa.  Poor  Turtle  !  Come  tell 
me  all  about  it. 

Turtle.  The  monkey  told  me  he  had 
left  his  heart  at  home  and  he  asked 
me  to  take  him  back  so  he  could  get 
it.  I  believed  him.  You  know  I 
wanted  the  heart  for  you. 

Queen  Osa.  You  are  vcry  kind,  Turtle. 

Turtle.  I  took  him  on  my  back. 
When  we  got  to  the  land  he  sprang  off 
my  back  and  up  the  nearest  tree.  He 
told  his  brothers  what  had  happened 
to  him.  Then  they  all  rushed  at  me. 
They  tore  off  my  shell  and  threw  my 
body  back  into  the  sea  without  it. 


WBY  THE  .JELLYFISH  HAS  XO  SHELL  L31 
Quee-n  Om.      PoOL       TllLtle  I  Xcver 

mind.  I'll  oive  you  another  sliell, 
for  you  did  your  best.  Some  one 
must  have  Ijeen  tellino-  the  monkey 
tales.  Jell"\"fish.  you  were  his  friend. 
Do  you  know  anything  about  this 

Jellyfish.  I  told  the  monkey  that  we 
were  going  to  kill  him  so  that  we 
could  get  his  heart  for  you.  I  told 
him  to  trv  and  be  brave  aljout  it. 

Queen  Osa.  You  are  to  blanio,  then, 
Jelhiish,  for  all  this  trouble.  To 
punish  you  for  meddling.  I  will  take 
awav  vour  shell.  And  vou  must  go 
without  it  forever. 

—  Oriental  Fable. 


I  WOULD  LIKE  YOU 
FOR  A  COMRADE 


Little  Girl  I  woulcl  like  you  for  a  com- 
rade, for  I  love  jou,  that 
I  do, 

I  never  met  a  little  calf  as 

amiable  as  you ; 
I  wonld  teach  you  how  to 

dance  and  sing  and  how 

to  talk  and  laugh, 
If  I  were  not  a  little  girl 

and  you  were  not  a  calf. 

Little  Calf.  I  would  like  you  for  a  com- 
rade ;  you  should  share 
my  barley  meal 

132 


I  WOULD  LIKE  YOU  FOR  A  COMRADE  133 


And  butt  me  with  your  little 

liorns  just   hard  enough 

to  feel ; 
We  would  lie  beneath  the 

chestnut  trees  and  watch 

the  leaves  uncurl, 
If  I  Avere  not  a  clumsy  calf 

and  you  a  little  ffirl. 

—  Judge  Parry. 


SOUTHWEST  WIND'S  VISIT 
TO  GLUCK 

Characters 

Gluck      Hans      Schwartz       Little  Old  Gentleman 

Giuck.  What  a  pity  my  brothers 
never  ask  anybody  to  dinner.  Tm 
sure  when  they've  got  such  a  nice 
piece  of  mutton  as  this  it  would  do 
their  hearts  good  to  have  somebody 

to   eat   it  with   them.       [Knock  sounds  at  the 

door.]  It  must  be  the  wind.  Nobody 
else  would  dare   to  knock  double 

knocks  at  our  door.    [Gluck  goes  to  the  window.] 
Little  Old  Gentleman.      Hello !  That's 
not  the  way  to  answer  the  door.  I 
am  wet.     Let  me  in. 

134 


SOUTHWEST  WIND'S  Y181T  TO  GLUCK  135 

Giuck.  I  beg  your  pardon,  sir. 
I  am  very  sorry,  but  I  really 
can't. 

Little  Old  Gentleman.     Can't  wliat  ? 

Giuck.  I  can't  let  you  in.  I  can't, 
indeed.  My  brother  will  beat  me, 
sir,  if  I  tliouo^it  of  such  a  thino\ 
What  do  you  want,  sir  ? 

Little  Old  Gentleman.     Want  1     I  Waut  firC 

and  shelter.  There's  your  great  fire 
there  blazing,  cracking,  and  dancing 
on  the  walls  with  nobody  to  feel  it. 
I  only  want  to  warm  myself. 

Giuck.  He  does  look  very  wet.  I'll 
just  let  him  in  for  a  little  while. 

[Opens  the  door.} 
Little  Old  Gentleman.     That's  a  ffOod  boY. 


136      SOUTHWEST  WIND'S  VISIT  TO  GLUCK 


Never  mind  your  brothers.  Til  talk 
to  tliem. 

Giuck.  Pray,  sir,  don't  do  any  such 


SOUTHWEST  WIXD'S  VISIT  TO  GLUCK  137 

tliino;.  I  can't  let  voii  stay  till  tliey 
come. 

LMe  Old  Gentleman.     Dear  mC.      I'll!  VCrV 

sorrv  to  hear  tliat.     How  lono;  may 

I  stay  ? 

«, 

Giuck.   Oiilv  till  tlie  iiiiitton's  done, 

sir,  and  it's  VerV  brown.  [Little  Old  Gentle- 
man seats  liimself  before  the  fire.]      Yondl  soon 

drv  there,  sir.  Mayn't  I  take  your 
cloak  ? 

Little  Old  Gentleman.     No.  tliailk  yOU. 

Giucic.   Your  cap,  sir  ? 

Little  Old  Gentleman.      I     aUl      all  rio;llt, 

thank  you. 

Giuci^.  But.  sir  !  I'm  yery  sorry,  but 
really,  sir,  you're  putting  the  fire  out. 

Little  Old  Gentleman.     It'll  take  loUO^er  tO 


138      SOUTHWEST  WIND'S  VISIT  TO  GLUCK 

do  the  mutton  then.  That  mutton 
looks  very  nice.  Can't  you  give  me 
a  little  bit  ? 

Giuck.  Impossible,  sir. 

Little  Old  Gentleman.     I'm     VOry  huUgry. 

Pve  had  nothing  to  eat  yesterday 
nor  to-day.  They  surely  couldn't 
miss  a  bit  from  the  knuckle. 

Giuck.  They  promised  me  one  slice 
to-day,  sir.    I  can  give  you  that. 

Little  Old  Gentleman.     That's  a  gOod  boy. 

Giuck.  [To  himself.]  I  dou't  care  if  I  do 
get  beaten  for  it.  [Loud  rap  at  the  door. 
Schwartz  and  Hans  enter.] 

Schwartz.    What    did    you   keep  us 
waiting  in  the  rain  for  ? 
Hans.  Ay,  what  for,  indeed  ! 


SOUTHWEST  WIND'S  VISIT  TO  GLUCK  139 
Schwartz.    BIgSS       lliy       SOul^  wlio's 

that  ? 

Giuck.  I  don't  know,  indeed,  brother. 
Schwartz.   How  did  he  o;et  in  ? 
Giuck.   Mj  dear  brother,  he  was  so 
very  wet. 

Schwartz.   W\io  are  yon,  sir  ? 
Hans.   What's  vonr  bnsiness  ? 

Little  Old  Gentleman.    I    am    a    pOOr  okl 

man,  sir,  and  I  saw  yonr  fire  throngh 
the  window  and  beo:o;ed  shelter  for  a 
little  while. 

Schwartz.  Have  the  izoodness  to  walk 
out  again,  then. 

Little  Old  Gentleman.    It's    a    Cold   daV  tO 

tnrn  an  old  man  ont,  sir.  Look 
at  my  gray  hairs. 


140      SOUTHWEST  WIND'S  VISIT  TO  GLUCK 

Hans.  Ay,  there  are  enough  of 
them  to  keep  you  warm.    Walk ! 

Little  Old  Gentleman.  I'm  vory,  Very  hun- 
gry, sir.  Couldn't  you  spare  me  a 
bit  of  bread  before  I  go  ? 

Schwartz.  Bread,  indeed !  Do  you 
suppose  weVe  nothing  to  do  with 
our  bread  but  to  give  it  to  such 
fellows  as  you  ? 

Hans.     Out  with  yOU. 

Little  Old  Gentleman.    A  little  bit  ? 

Schwartz.    Be  off! 

Little  Old  Gentleman.    Pray,  gentlemen. 
Hans.  Off! 

Little  Old  Gentleman.  Gentlemen,  I  wish 
you  a  very  good  morning.  At  twelve 
o'clock  to-night  Til  call  again.  But 


SOUTHWEST  WIND'S  VISIT  TO  GLUCK  141 

you  will  not  be  surprised  if  that  visit 
is  the  last  I  ever  make  you. 

Schwartz.  If  I  ever  catch  you  here 
again  —  [To  Giuck.]  A  very  pretty 
business,  incleecb  Mr.  Gluck.  Dish 
the  mutton,  sir.  If  ever  I  catch 
you  at  such  a  trick  again  — bless 
me,  why  the  mutton's  been  cut. 

Gliick.  You  promised  me  one  slice, 
brother,  you  know. 

Schwartz.  Oh,  you  were  cuttino^  it 
hot,  I  suppose,  and  going  to  catch 
all  the  gi'avy.  It  will  be  long 
before  I  promise  you  such  a  thing 
again.  Leave  the  room,  sir,  and 
have  the  kindness  to  wait  in  the 
coal  cellar  till  I  call  you. 


142      SOUTHWEST  WIND'S  VISIT  TO  GLUCK 


Midnight 

Schwartz.   [Starting  up.]    What's  that  ? 
Little  Old  Gentleman.     Olllj  Southwest 

Wind. 

Hans.  The  room  is  full  of  water, 
and  the  roof  is  oflp. 

Little  Old  Gentleman.  Sorrj^  gentlemen. 
I  am  afraid  your  beds  are  dampish. 
Perhaps  you  had  better  go  to  your 
brother's  room.  Tve  left  the  ceiling 
on  there.  You'll  find  my  card  on 
the  kitchen  table.  Remember,  this 
is  the  last  visit  from  Southwest 
Wind. 


THE  CHILD  AND  THE 
SPARROW 

Child.      Sparrow  in  the  clierrv  tree, 

AVon't   YOU   drop  one  clown 
for  me  1 

Sparroic.    Pi  'esentlv,  presently. 

Child.      Sparrow,  sparrow, 

Greecly-pate  ! 

143 


144  THE  CHILD  AND  THE  SPARROW 

There's  a  fine  one  !     Drop  it 
straight ! 

Sparrow.  Little  bojs  slioulcl  loam  to 
wait ! 

Child.      Sparrow,  without  more  ado, 
Come,  be  kind  and  drop  me 
two. 

Sparrow.   They're  not  ripe  enough  for 
you. 

Child.      Saucy   sparrow,   cease  your 
fun ! 

What,  you're  off  —  and  give 
me  none ! 


Sparrow. 


All  are  gone,  all  are  gone. 

—  Thomas  Westwood. 


THE  RABBIT'S  MESSAGE 


CiLiEACTERS — Three  Children.  Spring,  Rabbit 
and  creatures  of  the  woods 

Part  I — The  Children 

First  Child.  Oh,,  llow  bare  the  Avoods 
look.    Not  a  flower  or  bud  anywhere! 

Second  Child.     Sprillg    is  hlto. 

Third  Child.   Ow-0-0.   Lot's  riiii  hoiiie. 
Second  Child.    Spring  has  forgotten  us. 
I  shan't  come  liere  acyain. 

LITTLE  DRAMAS  —  10  1-45 


146  THE  RABBIT'S  MESSAGE 


Part  II  —  Lady  Spring 

Spring.  At  last !  Be  off,  Jack  Frost 
and  Nortli  Wind.  You  have  kept 
me  waiting  too  long.  '  Now  to  work. 
I  must  waken  the  flowe  rS.   [Waves  her  wand.] 

Flowers.  [Awaken.]  Welcome,  Lady  Spring. 
We  have  looked  for  you  long. 

Spring.   Break     into     buds,  trees. 

Trees.  [Awaken.]  Welcome,  Lady  Spring. 
We  have  looked  for  you  long. 

Spring.    Waken,  animals. 

Animals.  [Awaken.]  Welcome,  Lady  Spring. 
We  have  waited  for  you  long. 

Spring.  But  where  are  the  children? 
Perhaps  they  do  not  know  we  are  here. 
I  must  find  some  way  to  send  them 
a  message.    Robin,  will  you  take  it  ? 


THE  RABBIT'S  MESSAGE  147 

Rohin.  I  am  too  busy  building  a 
nest  for  my  little  ones.    Send  the  fox. 

Spring.   Fox,  will  jou  take  it? 

Fox.  I  dare  not  go.  Tlie  people 
will  think  I  have  come  to  steal 
their   chickens.     Send  Black  Bear. 

Spring.  Blaclv  Bear,  will  you  take 
the  message  to  the  children  ? 

Black  Bear.     Dou't  SCud  UlC.       I  aUl  SO 

bio;  I  would  frio4iten  them.  All 
children  loye  the  rabbit.     Send  him. 

Spring.   Rabbit,  will  you  go? 

Rahhit  Yes,  yes.  I'll  go.  But,  dear 
me !  The  dogs !  They  might  catch  me. 

Spring.   Go  whou  they  are  asleep. 

Rahhit  Good.  I  will  o;o  to-nio;ht. 
But   what   message   shall  I  take  ? 


148  THE  RABBIT'S  MESSAGE 

Spring,  ril  weave  a  basket  of  twigs 
and  leaves  and  green  grass,  and 
line  it  with  soft  moss.  Eacli  one  of 
us  will  put  a  message  into  it. 

Part  III  —  The  Journey 

Spring.   Here  is  tlie  basket.  Rabbit. 

Robin.   Here  is  an  egg. 

Thrush.   Here  is  another. 

Squirrel.  Horo  aro  souio  acoms  that 
have  just  sprouted. 

Spring.  My  prettiest  flowers  go  to 
the  children.  There!  Stop  at  every 
house  where  there  is  a  child. 

Rabbit  I  shall  not  forget.  Tm  off. 
[To  himself.]  I'll  just  make  a  nest  of 
grass  for  each  child,  and  leave  it  on 


THE  RABBIT'S  ^lESSAGE 


149 


tlie  doorstep.  An  eo-a  and  a  spring 
flower  in  each  —  and  tlie  children 
will  know  ! 


Part  TV  —  The  Message 

First  ciiiid.  What  a  pretty  nest  !  I 
found  it  on  niv  doorstep  —  flowers 
and  twigs  and  an  egg. 

Second  Child.  I  found  one.  too  —  with 
evervthins  in  it  from  the  woods. 

Third  Child.    Oh  I  Spring  must  be  here. 

First  Child.  See.  here  are  the  tracks  of 
the  rabbit's  feet  !    He  came  to  tell  us. 

Second  Child.  Then  spring  is  here. 
Let's  run  to  the  woods  —  now! 

Children.  [Running.]     Spring        is        llOre  ! 

Bunny  has  brought  us  the  message. 


LAUGHING  SANJA 

Characters 

Sanja    First  Jizu    Second  Jizu     Third  Jizu  Ogre 

Note:  Jizu  is  a  roadside  image  or  statue. 

Scene  I  —  Along  the  Road 

Sanja.  Deai%  deai%  there  goes  one  of 
my  finest  dumplings  rolling  down  the 
hill.  That  will  never  do.  I  cannot 
lose  that  one.    I  must  run  and  catch 

150 


LAUGHING  SANJA  151 
it.       [Runs  after  it.    As  she  goes  she  meets  Lord  Jizu.] 

Good  morning,  my  Lord  Jizu  !  Have 
you  seen  a  rice  dumpling  fall  this 
way? 

Lord  Jizu.  Good  mornin  o; !  Yes,  I 
saw  a  dumpling.  It  went  past  here. 
It  Avent  down  the  hill  skipping  as  if 
it  had  legs. 

Sanja.  Oh,  thank  you.  Then  I  must 
skip  after  it. 

Lord  Jizu.  No,  no.  Do  not  go  on. 
An  ogre  lives  down  there.  He  may 
do  you  harm. 

Sanja.  But  I  must  have  my  dump- 
ling. [Laughi?ig.]  Teo-hee-hee !  Tee-hee- 

hee  !      [Goes  on.] 

[To  Second  Lord  Jizu.]     My      gOod  Lord 


152  LAUGHING  SANJA 

JizU;,  have  you  seen  a  dumpling  pass 
tliis  way  ? 

Second  Lord  Jizu.     As    if   it   liacl   wino;s  ! 

It  flew  past  me. 

Sanja.  Tlieu  I  must  liuFFy  to 
catch  it. 

Second  Lord  Jizu.    YoU  mUSt  liot  thillk 

of  that.  There  is  a  wicked  ogre 
below.  He  does  not  like  old  women. 
He  will  be  cruel  to  you,  and  he 
might  eat  you  up. 

Sanja.  But  I  must  have  my  dump- 
ling. Hell  not  eat  an  old  woman 
like  me.  [Laughing.]  Tee-hee-hec  !  Tee- 

hee-hee  !      [Goes  on.] 

[To  herself.]  If  I  ovor  catch  that 
dumpling,  Til  eat  every  bit  of  it 


LAUGHING  SANJA  153 

myself.  Tee-iiee-liee !  [  To  Third  Lord  Jizu.] 
My  aood  Lord  Jizu,  liave  you  seen 
my  dumpling  pass  this  way  ? 

Third  Lord  Jizu.      YeS,     it     paSSod  but 

a  moment  ago.  Do  not  think  of 
searching  for  it.  The  ogre  who  liyes 
beyond  is  cruel,  and  he'll  surely  eat 
you. 

Sanja.  Ho'll  uot  eat  au  old  woman 

like  me.  Tee-hee-hee  !  [They  hear  a  terrible 
noise.    Ogre  comes.] 

Third  Lord  Jizu.    HorO  COmOS   the  GOTO. 

Get  behind  me.     Be  quick  ! 

Ogre.    [Deep  voice.]    Good  moming,  Lord 

Jizu  !     I  smell  meat. 

Third  Lord  Jizu.  Good  momino;,  Og're. 
Is  it  not  dumpling  that  you  smell  ? 


154  LAUGHING  SANJA 

I  saw  one  pass  along  this  road  a 
little  while  ago. 

Ogre.  No,  incleecl.  It  is  not  dump- 
linp;.     What  I  smell  is  meat. 

Third  Lord  Jizu.     I     do     not     SmoU  it. 

Are  jou  sure  it  is  not  rice  dumpling  1 
It  seems  to  me  that  I  smell  a  little 
of  it  about  JOU. 

Ogre.  That  is  not  strange.  I  saw 
the  dumpling  rolling  my  way.  I 
caught  it  and  ate  it.  It  was  good. 
I  wish  I  had  the  one  who  made  it. 
What  I  smell  now  is  meat,  meat, 
meat ;  juicy^   young,    tender.  [Sanja 

bursts  out  laughing.] 

Sanja.  Tce-hee-hec  !     Tee-hee-hee  ! 

Ogre.    [Seeing  Sanja.]    Who  are  yOU  ? 


LAUGHIXG  SAXJA  155 

Sanja.  I  aiii  the  one  wlio  made  the 
dumpling.  Tee-hee-hee  !  AVhv  did 
YOU  eat  it  ? 

Ogre.   Because  it  was  good. 

Sanja.  You  couldu't  oat  mo  for  that 
reason.     Tee-hee-hee  ! 

Ogre.  Xo.  I  shall  uot  oat  vou.  You 
shall  come  home  with  me  and  be 
niY  cook.  As  long  as  you  cook  your 
dumplings  for  me  I  will  not  liarm 

YOU.      [Sanja  goes  icith  the  ogre.] 

Scene  II  —  Ogre's  Kitchen 

Ogre.  You  aro  a  good  cook :  but 
YOU  use  more  rice  than  you  need. 
You  should  put  but  one  grain  into 
the  pot. 

Sanja.    Ouo    grain  ?  Tee-hee-hee. 


156  LAUGHING  SANJA 

How  could  any  one  live  on  one 
o;rain  of  rice  ? 

Ogre.    I    wiU    sllOW    JOU.      Put  OnO 

grain  of  rice  into  the  pot.  Then 
take  this  paddle  in  your  hand.  If 
you  want  rice  for  ten  persons,  stir 
ten  times,  in  this  way.  [Stirs  paddle  about 
in  the  water.]  See  the  grain  of  rice  burst 
into  ten  pieces.  If  you  want  rice 
for  one  hundred  persons,  stir  one 
hundred  times.  The  grain  of  rice 
will  burst  into  one  hundred  pieces. 

Sanja.  Tce-hee-hoe  !     Tee-hee-hee  ! 

Ogre.   This  is  a  magic  paddle. 

Sanja.   Tec-hee-hee  !     Tee-hee-hee  ! 

Ogre.    [To  himself .]     HoW     straUgO  that 

she  laughs  at  everything. 


LAUGHING  SAXJA 


157 


ScEXE  III — The  River  Bank 

San  ja.  I  won't  stav  here  another 
dav.  Tlie  oo-re  is  off  liuntino\  Tee- 
liee-liee.  Hell  never  know  liow  I 
o^ot  ont  of  the  castle  and  over  the 
river.  Tee-hee-liee.  Tee-liee-hee. 
[Hears  call]  Who  calls  ?  The  Ogre. 
Oh,  he  sees  me !  I  am  afraid  to 
o;o  back. 

Ogre.    [From  other  side  of  the  river.]     What  are 

von  doino^  there,  von  Lano-hina 
Dnmpling  ?  Go  back  to  my  kitchen, 
I  say.     Go  back  ! 

Sanja.   Tec-hee-hee ! 

Ogre.  How  strano'o  that  she  lano-hs 
at  evervthino'.     She  shall  not  lang-h 

at  me.       [Starts  to  go  across  river.] 


158  LAUGHING  SANJA 


Sanja.  What  shall  I  do  to  get  away. 
The  magic  paddle  !  The  magic  pad- 
dle !  I  have  it  tucked  in  my  belt, 
ril  stir  the  water  in  the  river  with  it. 
There  !  Tee-hee-hee  !  Tee-hee-hee  ! 
See  the  water  flows  and  flows,  hio;her 
and  hio;her.  The  o^re  must  swim  for 
his  life.    Tee-hee-hee  !    Tee-hee-hee  ! 


THE  TIGER  AND  THE 
BRAHMAN 

Characters 

Tiger  Jackal  ,  Brahman 

Tree  Road  Buffalo 

Tiger.     Let     1116    OUt     of    tllG  CagG, 

Brahman  ! 

Brahman.     No,   I  will    liot.       If  I  let 

you  out  of  the  cage^  jou  will  eat 
me. 

Tiger.  0  Brahman,  indeed  I  will 
not.  I  could  not  be  so  unkind  as 
that.  Only  let  me  out  to  get  a 
drink  of  water.     Then  I  will  come 

back.       [Brahman  opens  the  cage.] 

159 


160  THE  TIGER  AND  THE  BRAHMAN 


Tiger.    [Jumping  out.]    NoW,  I  wiU  eat  JOU 

first  and  then  111  drink  the  water. 

Brahman.  Alas  !  How  foolish  I  was 
to  let  you  out.  Only  do  not  kill  me 
hastily.  Let  me  ask  the  first  three 
thino;s  I  meet  to  tell  me  whether  it 
is  just  and  fair  that  you  should  put 


THE  TIGER  AXD  THE  BR.lH^LlX  161 

me  to  deatli.  If  all  of  tliem  sav  it 
is  just  and  fair  for  you  to  kill  me  I 
shall  be  willing  to  die. 

Tiger.  It  sliall  bo  as  vou  say.  You 
may  ask  tlie  opinion  of  three. 

[Brahman  goes  off] 

Brahnan.  0  Troo,  lioar  niT  story 
and  tell  me  who  is  ri^-ht.  The  tiger 
bea-a-ed  me  to  let  him  out  of  his  cage, 
to  drink  a  little  water.  He  promised 
not  to  hurt  me  if  I  did  so.  But  now 
that  I  have  let  him  out  he  wishes  to 
kill  and  eat  me.     Is  this  right  I 

Tree.  I  give  sliado  to  all  who 
pass  by.  but  when  they  are  rested 
they  cut  my  branches  and  break  oif 
my  leaves.     AVhy  do  you  complain  ? 

LITTLE  DEAMiS   11 


162  THE  TIGER  AND  THE  BRAHMAN 

Brahman.     AlaS !      AlaS  !       [Goes  on.]  0 

Buffalo,  hear  my  story  and  tell  me 
who  is  right.  The  tio;er  beo:o;ed  me 
to  let  him  out  of  his  cage  to  drink  a 
little  water.  But  now  that  I  have 
let  him  out  he  wishes  to  kill  and  eat 
me.     Is  this  right,  0  Buffalo  ? 

Bufaio.  Look  at  me !  See  how 
hard  I  work.  When  I  was  young 
I  had  the  best  of  food.  But  now 
that  I  am  old  I  am  kept  here  in 
the  field.  I  have  only  the  coarsest 
food  to  eat.     Why  do  you  complain? 

Brahman.     AlaS  !        AlaS  !      [Goes  to  Road.] 

0  Road,  hear  my  story  and  tell  me 
who  is  right.  The  tiger  begged  me 
to  let  him  out  of  his  cage  to  drink  a 


THE  TIGER  AND  THE  BRAHMAN  163 

little  water.  But  now  that  I  have 
let  him  out  he  wishes  to  kill  and  eat 
me.     Is  this  right,  0  Road  ? 

Road.  Poor  Brahman!  How  can 
you  hope  for  anything  else  1  Think 
of  me.  Here  I  am  useful  to  every 
one.  Yet  all,  rich  and  poor,  great 
and  small,  trample  on  me  as  they  go 
past.     Why  do  you  complain  ? 

Brahman.  Alas  !  Ahis  !  Alas  !  There 

is  no  help  for  me.     [Turns  homeward.] 

Jackal.  What's  the  matter,  Mr. 
Brahman  ?    You  look  very  sad. 

Brahman.  I  am  sad.  As  I  was  walk- 
ino;  alono;  the  road  I  came  to  the  tiger 
in  his  cao^e.  He  beo^o;ed  me  to  let 
him  out  to  drink  a  little  water.  He 


164  THE  TIGER  AND  THE  BRAHMAN 

said  he  would  not  harm  me  if  I 
did  so. 

Jackal  Did  you  let  him  out  ? 

Brahman.    I  did.       As  SOOU  aS  ho  WaS 

out  he  tried  to  eat  me.  I  asked  him 
to  wait  till  I  could  get  the  opinion 
of  the  first  three  things  I  came  to 
whether  it  was  ri^ht  for  him  to  kill 
me.  I  asked  the  tree,  the  buffalo, 
and  the  road.    Alas  ! 

Jackal.   What  did  they  say  ? 

Brahman.  They  all  Said  it  was  right. 

Jackal.   Who  Said  it  was  right  ? 

Brahman.  Why,  the  troo,  and  the 
road,  and  the  buffalo. 

Jackal.  Oh,  it's  vory  confusing.  Let 
me  see !    Perhaps  matters  are  not 


THE  TIGER  AND  THE  BRAHMAN  165 

SO  bad  as  you  tliink.  But  it's  very 
confusino;.  You  say  the  tiger  said 
the  tree  and  the  road  and  the  buffalo 
were  rig4it  ? 

Brahman.  No,  uo^  HO,  The  road  and 
the  tree  and  the  buffalo  said  the  tio^er 
should  kill  and  eat  me  ! 

Jackal  It  all  goes  iu  one  ear  and 
out  the  other.  It's  very  confusing. 
Take  me  to  the  place  where  it  hap- 
pened. Then  I  shall  be  able  to 
understand. 

[Brahman  and  Jackal  go  to  Tiger.] 

Tiger.  You  liave  bceu  away  a  long 
time.     I  Avant  my  dinner. 

Brahman.  Just  Wait  Until  I  make 
the   jackal   understand  how  it  all 


166  THE  TIGER  AND  THE  BRAHMAN 

happened.  He  is  so  slow  in  his  wits  ! 
I  must  explain  things  to  him. 

Jackal.   Show  me  where  you  stood. 

Brahman.    HorO,  bj  the  CagO. 

Jackal.   Right  there  ? 

Brahman.    Right  hoTO. 

Jackal.  Where  was  the  tiger  then  ? 

Tiger.  1  was  in  tlio  cago  ! 

Jackal.  Yes,  JOS.  Let  me  see,  how 
did  it  all  begin  ? 

Brahman.  Tio'or  was  in  tlio  cago  and 
I  came  walking  by  — 

Jackal.  Yes,  yos,  I  see.    You  were 

in  the  cage  and  the  tiger  came  walk- 
ed o 

ing  by  — 

Tiger.    [Angrily.]    Not    at    all  !      I  WaS 

in  the  cage. 


THE  TIGER  AXD  THE  BRAHMAN  167 

Jackal.  Yes^  my  lord.  Deai%  dear, 
it's  very  confusing.  It  has  all  got 
mixed  up  in  my  mind.  Let  me  see, 
tlie  tiger  Avas  in  tlie  Brahman  and 
the  cage  came  walkino;  by  !  No,  no, 
that  was  not  it,  either  !  Well,  don't 
wait  for  me.  I  shall  never  under- 
stand. 

Tiger.  Ycs,  jou  sliall  Understand. 
Look  here,  I  am  the  tio^er. 

Jackal.  Yes,  my  lord. 

Tiger.   Aud  that  is  tlic  Brahman. 

Jackal.  Yes,  uij  lord. 

Tiger.   And  that  is  the  cage. 

Jackal.   Yes,  mj  lord. 

Tiger.  And  J  W'ds  111  the  cagc.  Do 
you  understand  ? 


168  THE  TIGER  AND  THE  BRAHMAN 

Jackal.  Yes,  iiij  lord.  But  please, 
my  lord,  how  did  you  get  in  ? 

Tiger.  How  did  I  get  in  ?  Why, 
the  usual  way,  of  course  ! 

Jackal.  Oh  dear  me  !  My  head  is 
bemnnino;  to  whirl  again.  Please 
don't  get  angry,  my  lord,  but  what 
is  the  usual  way  ? 

Tiger.    This    Way.     Now    do  you 

understand  ?      [Tiger  jumps  into  cage.] 

Jackal.  Yes,  I  understand  now. 
And  I  think  we  had  better  leave 

you  just  where  you  are.      [Locks  cage  door. \ 


THE  LIOX  AND  THE  STORY- 
TELLER 


Characters  —  Lion,  Fox.  Elephant,  Tiger,  and  Other 

Animals 

Elephant.     DOcir    lllG  WG    lllUSt  filicl 

one. 

Tiaer.     Olie    wliat  ?  . 

Elephant.  A  storv-tellcr  for  tlie  lion. 
He  wants  one  wlio  will  tell  him 
stories  one  after  another  without 
stopping.     It's  a  task  indeed. 

Camel.  Yos,  vos,  and  he  will  put 
us  to  death  if  we  fail  to  lind  some 
one  who  can  do  so. 

Tiger.  Ho's  kiucr-.  and  thoT  sav  the 
king;  kills  when  he  will.  I  do  not 
know  what  vre  shall  do. 

169 


170        THE  LION  AND  THE  STORY-TELLER 

Fox.  Let  me  think.  I  have  it  — 
Tell  the  king  you  have  found  the 
story-teller  that  he  wished  for. 

At  Court 

Lion.  So,  Mr  Fox,  you  are  to  tell 
me  stories  without  ceasing:. 

Fox.  Yes,  0  King  Lion. 

Lion.   Very  well  —  begin. 

Fox.  There  was  once  a  fisherman 
who  went  to  sea.  He  had  a  large 
net.  He  spread  it  out  far  and  wide. 
One  day  a  great  many  fish  got  into 
the  net.  Just  as  the  fisherman  was 
about  to  draw  it  up,  the  cords  broke, 
and  a  small  hole  was  made  in  the 
side  of  the  net.  Now,  this  hole 
was  just  large  enough  for  one  fish 


172        THE  LION  AND  THE  STORY-TELLER 

to  slip  through  at  a  time.     So,  one 

fish   got    out  [Fox  stops.] 

Lion.    Yes  ? 

Fox.   Then    two    fishes    got  out. 

[Fox  stops.] 

Lion.   AVhat  then  ? 

Fox.   Then  three  escaped.    [Fox  stops.] 

Lion.     [Impatiently.]    YoS,    jeS  !    but  the 

story  ?  I  tell  you,  go  on  with  the 
story.     What  then  ? 

Fox.   Then  four  fishes  got  out. 

Lion.  Come,  come,  sir,  you  are  not 
telling  me  anything  new. 

Fox.  0  King  !  Each  lot  of  fishes  was 
different  from  the  rest.  —  Then  the 
hole  o;rew  a  little  larger  and  — 

Lion.  But,  wherein  is  the  wonder  ? 


THE  LION  AND  THE  STORY-TELLER  173 

Fox.  Why,  your  majesty,  what  can 
be  more  wonderful  than  for  fish  to 
escape  in  lots,  each  lot  greater  than 
the  other  by  one  ? 

Lion.    [Impatiently.]     HoW     loUO^    will  it 

take  all  those  fishes  to  o;et  out  ? 

Fox.  0  King  Lion,  it  was  a  large 
net —  there  were  thousands  and  thou- 
sands of  fishes  in  it.  —  Then  the  hole 
oTCw  a  little  laro^er  and  — 

Lion.  Stop,  stop  !  I  can  not  stand 
this.  Leave  my  court  at  once  — 
anything  to  stop  those  fishes. 

[Fox  goes  out.] 
Fox.    [To  animals.]     Fcar      UOt,     I  haVC 

saved  you  all.  The  tyrant  won't 
try  that  plan  again. 


OVER  THE  HILL 

Traveler,  what  lies  over  tlie 
liiU? 

Traveler,  tell  to  me. 

I  am  only  a  child  from  the 

window  sill, 
Over  I  can  not  see. 

Child,  there's  a  valley  over 
there, 

Pretty  and  wooded  and  shy. 
And  a  little  brook  that  says, 
"  Take  care, 

174 


O^TR  THE  HILL  175 

Or  I'll  drown  you  bv  and  bv.*' 

Child.      And  wliat  comes  next  ? 

Traveler.  A  little  tOWn 

And  a  towering-  hill  again  : 
More   bills    and   valleys  up 

and  down 
And  a  river  now  and  tben. 

Child.      And  what  comes  next  ? 

Traveler.  A  louclv  UlOOr 

AVitbout  a  beaten  way  : 
And  gray  clouds  sailing  slow 
before 

A  wind  tbat  will  not  stav. 


Child,      And  tben  ] 


176  OVER  THE  HILL 

Traveler.  Dark  rocks  aiid  yel- 

low sand, 
And  a  moaning  sea  beside. 

Child.      And  then  'I 

Traveler.  More  soa,  moro  sea, 

more  land, 
And  rivers  deep  and  wide. 

Child.      And  then  ? 

Traveler.  Oh,  rock  and  moun- 

tain and  vale. 
Rivers  and  fields  and  men, 
And  over  and  over  repeat  the 
tale. 

And   round    to   your  home 
again. 

—  George  MacDonald. 


Date  Due 

i 

Form  335 — 25M— 7-35— B-M.Co. 


D00829555Y 


J^^3jri95  S620L 


^amaa  :fop 


371.895  S5:33L 


3126A 


